Heart-melting moment stolen dog is reunited with its owners after a year apart (VIDEO)

Honey, a one-year-old cavapoo, was allegedly stolen from her family's garden last year. The pet was missing for nearly twelve months and became unrecognisable, with matted fur covering its eyes. Luckily, a kind-hearted dog groomer picked the pup up, gave it a makeover, and most importantly, helped her reunite with her family. The moment the furry kid meets his human parents is tear-jerking!

Stolen from the garden

Honey went missing from its home in a rural area in Shrewsbury, England, in July last year. Despite the search, the family couldn’t locate her. For nearly twelve months, there were no sightings of the pup. Her owners believe that she ‘has been hidden’ and ‘kept out of sight’.

Thankfully, the pooch was microchipped and there was still hope it could be found.

Unrecognisable dog

Nearly a year later a stray dog was spotted 50 miles away from Honey’s home. The pup’s eyes were hardly seen behind her overgrown coat.

The dog was picked up by a local dog groomer Carol Pinchin, who was horrified by her ‘completely matted fur’ measuring almost three inches.

Carol said:

I've been a dog groomer for 35 years and have seen some dreadful sights of pets that have come in to be groomed, but she was absolutely matted to the skin.

The woman also scanned her microchip to understand where she was coming from. Luckily, Honey's owners had updated her microchip details just two days before, and Carol was able to locate them!

The family had difficulties recognising their pooch.

Carol described her call with Honey’s owner:

I had to actually WhatsApp the owner so he could see the dog in the car and even then he said 'are you sure it's not for money'. Obviously, the dog looked completely different, so I pulled the fur away from her eyes and straight away he said 'that's my girl'. I said 'if you don't mind I'll take her home to shave her' then dropped her off the following day.

Heartwarming Reunion

The pup could not believe her eyes either when she finally met her family. In a tear-jerking video, Honey is seen cautiously approaching her owner, who crouches on the floor, before jumping up and frantically wagging her tail as she recognises him. She then runs behind him to greet another family member.

Carol told the Mirror:

She just ran up to her owner like 'oh hi somebody else' and then she stops for a minute, as if she's like 'hang on', took a split second and then just realises. That little lightbulb moment in her head like 'oh it's dad!' and then runs to her mum, it's so nice to see.

A microchip is a safe and affordable way to increase the chance of finding a missing dog. According to Carol, ‘it gives people hope because hundreds and hundreds of animals are stolen’.

Sources used:

- Mirror: 'Heartwarming moment dog is reunited with owners after being 'stolen' from garden'

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