John
08-02-2009, 07:27 AM
Muffy the long-lost dog has finally been found - nine years after she disappeared and 1,250 miles away from her original home.
The terrier-cross or 'bitsa', was last seen in 2000 by her owners, the Lampard family on the Gold Coast in Australia's Queensland state, when she set off from a friend's home, seemingly never to return.
However, while the Lampards got on with their life, even getting a new dog - a Rottweiler called Jack whom sadly yet coincidentally died a few months ago - Muffy was embarking on an epic voyage south down Australia's east coast.
Whatever may have happened to Muffy over this last decade, she was spotted living as a filthy stray in a backyard by a concerned local in Melbourne, who informed the RSPCA.
Carers came to rescue the flea-ridden pooch and clean up her matted hair and severe dermatitis.
However, it was during this skin treatment that welfare agency officers came across the microchip that could identify her and trace her original owners.
Although it took a little investigative work due to the age of the chip, the Lampards were finally identified and tracked down, much to Natalie Lampard's surprise.
Her daughter Chloe, 17, was particularly over-the-moon, as she and Muffy were inseparable when she was a child.
Chloe is now preparing to fly to Melbourne to be reunited with her.
The terrier-cross or 'bitsa', was last seen in 2000 by her owners, the Lampard family on the Gold Coast in Australia's Queensland state, when she set off from a friend's home, seemingly never to return.
However, while the Lampards got on with their life, even getting a new dog - a Rottweiler called Jack whom sadly yet coincidentally died a few months ago - Muffy was embarking on an epic voyage south down Australia's east coast.
Whatever may have happened to Muffy over this last decade, she was spotted living as a filthy stray in a backyard by a concerned local in Melbourne, who informed the RSPCA.
Carers came to rescue the flea-ridden pooch and clean up her matted hair and severe dermatitis.
However, it was during this skin treatment that welfare agency officers came across the microchip that could identify her and trace her original owners.
Although it took a little investigative work due to the age of the chip, the Lampards were finally identified and tracked down, much to Natalie Lampard's surprise.
Her daughter Chloe, 17, was particularly over-the-moon, as she and Muffy were inseparable when she was a child.
Chloe is now preparing to fly to Melbourne to be reunited with her.