In October 2014, Sian Matthews, owner of Muttley Crew Dog Services (www.muttleycrewdogservices.com) received a wonderful surprise when her pug, Holly, was returned to her via Toronto Animal Services. 

 

Matthews is the owner of two dogs: Holly the pug, and Percy, a schnauzer mix originally fostered and then adopted after she fell in love with him. Her household also includes a cat, Penny Lane, and a frog named Cricket. Clearly, Matthews, whose business offers dog walking, crate-free boarding, cat visits, and dog training, has a deep affinity with animals!

 

Holly had only been a part of their family for two months in 2013, before going missing from the backyard of Matthews' home in North York. Holly, a curious and independent spirit, made her way out through a hole under the fence and set off to explore the world. When Matthews realized that Holly was gone, she began immediately to search the neighbourhood, asking everyone she encountered if she’d seen a little pug roaming free. In the following days, Matthews and her family searched and searched, but came up with nothing.

 

“We talked to all the construction crews, literally went door to door with pictures. We hung posters all over the streets, at the local schools, recreation centres and vets. We also called all the shelters TAS and Humane Society to report her missing. We also had her registered with finding lost pets. We took advantage of social media asking friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to spread the word if her disappearance. Posts on Craig's list and Kijiji were also to no avail.”

 

Holly was gone. 

 

For some time, Matthews kept up her search and hoped Holly would be located. Although their neighbourhood is quiet, with little traffic, there are other dangers, including a ravine inhabited by predators who could easily make a meal of a tiny pug. Either that or she was stolen. Eventually, Mathews had to accept that, whatever had happened, Holly was simply gone. 

 

 

“We were just devastated. It broke our hearts that she could be wounded somewhere, cold and scared or that someone had taken her to a place where she would be treated inhumanly or wouldn't be taken care of and loved.”

 

However, Matthews never entirely gave up a little bit of hope. Having been taught to look on the bright side, she became resigned to Holly’s absence, but refused to accept that it was permanent, even though Holly was missing for over a year – 14 months in total.

 

On October 16, 2014, that slim but determined hope became a reality. While driving, Matthews received a call from Toronto Animal Services, asking if she had reported a missing female fawn pug in August 2013. Her stomach lurched as she confirmed that she had. The TAS worker calmly told her, “Well, Ms. Matthews. We’ve got her.” Matthews says she burst into tears, pulled over to the side of the road to continue her conversation with the TAS worker.

 

Holly had been found roaming, without a collar or tags, around an Etobicoke neighbourhood. A local resident had reported her to the TAS, who went around to collect Holly. Being the gregarious little dog that she is, she happily went along with them on what must have seemed to her to be yet another great adventure. Matthews says that Holly is happy and healthy. 

 

“She needs some work obedience wise. And we need to work on her confidence around larger dogs as she seems a little fearful, but she is housebroken and has been given the green light from the vet, so it's just a little TLC and some formal training.”

 

“Good thing her mom is a trainer!”

 

Matthews tells us she is very glad that she had Holly micro-chipped, as this is how Holly was located and eventually returned to her. She’s also grateful to the TAS and the man who reported Holly to them for bringing her beloved dog back to her...where she was meant to be. Their family is complete again.