THERE were doubtless many people who thought that beloved family pet dog Murphy would never be returned home after going missing almost three months ago.

The four-year-old husky was thought to have been stolen, and if the Smith family of Lidget Green ever gave up hope of seeing him again, they certainly didn’t show it.

Thanks to a high-profile poster and social media campaign, they and their friends managed to keep Murphy’s disappearance in the spotlight and even garnered the support of celebrities such as Bradford magician Dynamo and comedian Johnny Vegas.

That campaign certainly helped, because a member of the RSPCA in Manchester remembered the photographs that had been shared about when the dog was taken into the charity’s centre this week.

As well as highlighting how social media on the internet can be put to good uses, the story also shows just how valuable our RSPCA operatives are, and their determination to help reunite Murphy with his family.

This is a story with a happy ending, and congratulations are due to the Smiths for their tenacious campaign and to the RSPCA for bringing the dog home.

It also shows just how important micro-chipping is for any pet, cat or dog. Sadly, there are unscrupulous individuals and gangs who care not for how well a pet is loved but more for the value certain breeds can bring, and will think nothing of stealing an animal. Chipping goes a long way to tracking stolen or lost animals, and it is vital anyone who loves their pets has them chipped.