Movies like Homeward Bound, wherein a lost dog can journey across a country to find his family again, are wonderful heartwarming stories, but we don't expect them to come true. In fact, once a pet has disappeared for more than a week, it's hard not to assume that the story wouldn't have a happy ending. However, in this case, things thankfully turned out okay for one family.
When it came time to send his
letter to Santa this Christmas, three-year-old Edward Latter wasn't asking for the same toys other boys his age were asking for. Instead, all he wanted was for his dog, Morse, to be returned to him.
Once the letter made it's way online, thousands joined in on the hunt for the missing 10-month-old border terrier. Even Simon Cowell got involved, offering a £10,000 reward to anyone who could help find him.
In December, Morse had run from the home. While the family, who live in Marden, Kent, in the UK, didn't know where Morse had disappeared to, one witness claimed they had seen two men put the dog into their car not long after he had left the house. "My gut instinct was he was taken away and used for stud," Edward's father, Richard, explained to Metro.
While Edward's Christmas wish didn't hit in time for December 25, it did come true yesterday. It seems that Morse had escaped from his captors, making it all the way home. Their mom and dad, Amanda and Richard, had pretty much given up hope by time they received a call on Friday night.
A couple who lives 20 miles away found a muddy dog walking through their street and thought it could be the same missing dog. They took the dog in, washed him, and contacted Richard. Richard admitted he wasn't sure until they sent him a photo of the dog, at which point he and his family drove down to pick him up.
"Me and Amanda were still quite sceptical, but Edward saw him and recognised him straight away," Richard explained. "He just said 'Is that Morse, is Morse coming home with us?' He was absolutely over the moon".
Morse didn't respond to his name at first, so they started to believe it might not be him, so they took him to a vet and had his chip scanned, finding out for sure it was him.
"We instantly broke down in tears. I was delirious for a few seconds, it was absolutely wonderful, we were just hugging each other, hugging Edward and hugging the dog. It’s just surreal, I can’t get over it."
"That’s why he was clipped and trimmed, they were trying to make him more desirable and better looking to be sold on. ‘He was either sold on and escaped or escaped from them."
When asked about getting his best friend back, little Edward said:
"We have got Morse back. I can't believe it, I have my best friend back. It's too late for Christmas but this is the best present ever."
What a wonderful, heartwarming way to start the new year. I'm sure they'll all be keeping an eye on Morse, who no doubt is glad to be back with his family in the warmth and comfort of his home.
