Reading all of the above posts made me wonder what the dog would do ..would he know you or is the bond now with the new family . The only way to find out is to check out the people and your dog . Sometimes legalities are not happy circumstances . I think your heart will show you the way to go .

I would only like to bring up the fact that the chip company cannot be held liable for information they are not given by the dog owner, humane officers can only find owners that have registered their dogs or are actively reporting their dog missing. My Yorkies are my sons, that is why they are registered with AVID and every time I move I update the record.
A living life isn't something you wait a year and a half to claim without understanding that they have most likely moved on to another family and formed an attachment.

I'm sorry if this post upsets anyone but I am getting upset hearing people simply tell this woman what she wants to hear (in my opinion). She needs to just take responsibility for her part in this situation, she is not an innocent party. If the dog had been registered to the chip company, the dog would have been returned a year ago.

The new owners do not owe her anything. They do not need to call her and let her see the dog if they do not feel comfortable doing so. They definitely do NOT need to help her get a new dog (financially or emotionally).

I hope she finds a new dog for her family and everything works out.

I DID report the dog to the police dept in her (sitters) town, they said that there was nothing they could do as it was a civil matter, and they doubted the lady even existed (they said they looked but I don't think they did)! I didn't even think to report it to the humane officers (thinking that this lady would never be stupid enough to take the dog there!) and I was told it was yet again a civil matter so it was never in my mind to turn the investigation to them. Trust me I know more for next time!

As far as the dog is concerned, I have been told that he is doing very well (not by the people by the dog warden) and they actually have him doing agility because he was a high strung dog that needs to vent his energy. I have chosen not because I want to, but because what I think is best for him, to let him stay with the family and not pursue.

However, what gets me is;

I tried twice to contact this family, once to inform them of the situation when I found they had him to get their side of things, I then contacted the police when they didnt respond and the police told me they wouldn't give him up and to go to the magistrates office if I wanted to pursue, then again yesterday after I thought it through, I left a message informing them that I had no intention of getting him back that I understand he is "supposably" in a good home, but would love an update on how he was doing. AND I would be more than happy (not really, but best for the situation) to send over all of his papers that I have on him (breeder info, akc papers, etc.)

THEY called the humane officer and told them that they were going to file charges against me for harassment?!?!? I am just flabbergasted!! I had no intention on contacting them after this last time anyway, just figured I would "do the right thing" on my side and give them info and background on the dog, if they chose to call back they did, if not then they didn't~it was going to be dropped! I know if it were me and someone offered to give up everything on a dog, I would love to know the background, etc.

I only know this part because I have been in close contact with the humane officer now for the last week. She is actually trying to help me find another one if possible :)

The whole situation is a sad mess, I am so stressed out right now over it. In my mind the situation is over, but my heart is sad all over again.

We went last night to a rescue that had a cairn, (of course they had a ton of apps for him~they hadn't made a decision yet) it broke my heart! This pup had so much love to give, so sad to see him there, I also heard the "lady that runs it is a hoarder". SO don't know if anyone will get him. His coat was matted, the whole place smelled of dog, IT was awful! I came home and called the HO that I have been in touch with and informed them!!!

Please pray that we can be the family that will be picked to rehome this cairn, we have So much love to give :)

I will keep you in my good thoughts and prayers that you get the right Cairn for you soon. Please don't let the good opinion of others get you down, as Wayne Dyer says. You do what you need to do in your heart with no regrets. Take care.

The people probably went into a panic that they were going to have a fight for the dog they now have fallen for. That's probably the only reason they were being difficult.

I am so sorry you are going through this. Hope you can find another dog that needs the love you have to give.

I have to agree. Unfortunately for the OP has lost a dog, but the owners are not at fault. They adopted a pup that needed a home, and now they have a person asking for partial custody of their dog that they have had for years. All they know is they legally adopted a dog from a shelter and now someone may take it away.
I understand how very hard this is for you, but the person you should be looking at the person is the that lost your dog. The situation is tough all around, but it is best to move on. I wish you the best of luck with your addition. :)

Honestly you had him for a month and they have had him for a year if I were in this situation I would give them the opportunity to purchase him which is what they should do anyway. I wouldnt take him from a home that he knows