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A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

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The photos below show Border Collies, Sam and Billie (with the blue eye), but before we go any further, let’s wind the clock back 10 years or so.

Sammy was a cute, fluffy, 6-month-old Border Collie pup mooching around his family’s front yard. All the neighbours knew him and he was well loved by Nikki and Simon.

But something happened that day and Sam disappeared without a trace from the front yard, and nobody saw anything. A little while later they welcomed into their home another Border Collie whose owners could no longer keep him, and Billie joined their family, and life went on. After 7 years, owners received a phone call from WISH Animal Rescue to tell them that their dog Sam was currently at Foothills Animal Hospital.

There was a gentle wisdom that washed over us from Sam during his photo shoot with us at the Perth dog beach, and even with the neglect he suffered at the hands of humans, he didn’t hesitate trotting over to us the second we got out of the car, bum and tail wagging, asking for a pat. He is now 10-years-old and Billie is 9. He’s deaf and a bit wobbly on his feet and he looks older than his 10 years with what he’s been through, but he is utterly charming in every way.

Sam’s story shows how important microchipping your beloved pets is.

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Sammy was a cute, fluffy, 6-month-old Border Collie pup that one day disappeared without a trace from the front yard

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

After 7 years, owners received a phone call from WISH Animal Rescue to tell them that their dog Sam was currently at Foothills Animal Hospital

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

Dog was all covered in wounds, his eyes were dead and joyless

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

Sam is now 10-years-old and is deaf and a bit wobbly on his feet and he looks older than his 10 years, but he is utterly charming in every way

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

Where Sam was and what happened to him in those 7 years nobody will ever know for sure

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A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

But WISH Animal Rescue and Foothills Animal Hospital saved his life that day so that his original family could heal his soul

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

Now Sam loves spending time with Billie, another Border Collie dog, who was adopted after Sam’s disappearance

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

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Sam’s story proves everyone how important it is to microchip your beloved pets

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

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A Dog Who Vanished Without A Trace 7 Years Ago Finally Reappeared, And I Did His Photoshoot

Sam and Billie were photographed by myself, Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne, from 7 to 1 Photography.

64Kviews

Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne

Award-winning photographer from Perth, Western Australia

Award-winning photographer from Perth, Western Australia

What do you think ?

KarinMorris 8 years ago

So someone did that to him? It wasn't caused by some wild animal? My God people are heartless. I hope he gets spoiled rotten for the time that remains to him.

17points

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

Yes, isn't it heartbreaking? His rightful, original owners love him beyond words :)

16points

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LenaWalters 8 years ago

So, even if it's in another 4 year... I might find my cat one day...

16points

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

I honestly hope you find your cat, Lena x

17points

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NatalieSnyder 8 years ago

Amazing! Live it up, Sam!

4points

Michel Guntern 8 years ago

Some great images of Sammy; shame I couldn't comment on them individually.

1point

Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

Hi Michel, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see you commenting on my work!

1point

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Donegalsean 8 years ago

There are a lot of bad people in this world :( but he never gave up!

1point

PaulaKrolikowska 8 years ago

Sammy is a real survivor :)

1point

Wynk2u 8 years ago

Wonderful photographs Kelly. They really capture Sam's joy at being home, & his friendship with Billie.

1point

KatinkaMin 8 years ago

A microchip doesn't help if someone steals your dog out of the front yard. I'm not sure where they lived, but over here dogs do get stolen, especially young and/or little cute ones. You get 300€ for a cute mix, more for a pure bred. The poor dog - so many years of abuse and neglect :-( Thank God, he has a few good years in the end.

1point

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

The microchip is the reason he found his way back to his original family :)

10points

Load More Replies...

Jazmyn B (Jaz) 7 years ago

Those injuries are horrid!! But at the same time, I'm so happy you found Sam in the end. You guys were so lucky!! My neighbors dog escaped from their back yard yesterday and I'm not certain she has been found. She's an old Staffy who is new to the family (passed down from a relative that could no longer take care of her). She escaped an hour or so before nightfall, which sucked for the family, and no there's extremely bad storms planned. I'm hoping she'll be found and okay again.

0points

LPS Cool Bird 8 years ago

This is a really sad story.

0points

Juliette Ferrero 8 years ago

that is so intriguing. what happened ? where were he ???!!!

0points

SquirrelLuvr 8 years ago

If not for the registered micro-chip, this could of ended badly because of his injuries. He's a lucky dog :)

0points

Kandy Lee Haldeman 8 years ago

He looks so wise.

0points

Anand Kumar 8 years ago

So sad story. After losing your dog and after 10 years you found your dog without an ears and eyes so sad... If Sam could only speak the dog can tell what happen. but of course unfortunately not. Thank god Sam came back. Just wondering how Sam disappeared? just curious. maybe the front yard was open air. and then Sam run out in street to walk around but sadly Sam was lost and that's the moment Sam doesn't know how to get back.

0points

Anand Kumar 8 years ago

So sad story. if sam could only speak the dog can tell what happen. but of course unfortunately not. thank god sam came back again. just wondering how sam disappeared? maybe its an open front yard right? maybe the dog was run outside the street and thats the moment sam was lost. and the dog doesn't know how to get back.

0points

Autumn 8 years ago

How do they know that that is the exact dog? It really is a touching story, and it gives hope to everyone who's pet has disappeared.

0points

QuirkyBirds 8 years ago

Aww, what a lovely reunion & very heart warming story. {•x•}•x•}

0points

kristinemonicaong 8 years ago

i felt sad upon reading this. we just lost our beloved dog due to sickness..

0points

SofiaBellavista 8 years ago

Condolences Kristine, I know how hard it is..

0points

Load More Replies...

kristinemonicaong 8 years ago

i felt sad upon reading this...

0points

Hanna 8 years ago

Really a warm story .dog is like a family member to us

0points

JuliaNowakowska 8 years ago

Hi! I am a medical student form Poland and I am doing this re-search about Computer vision syndrome. Would you like to help me and fill up this short google form? Thanks https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vHuPzENgXEeuyHc-T7c6cDoCZ62WxA7U1QxgzQ-O-YM/viewform

0points

SusannaVesna 8 years ago

Someone stole him for sure! Glad the owners never moved or changed their numbers!

0points

GretaBershteyn-Kosenko 8 years ago

Wow so bittersweet

0points

ToddGiroux 8 years ago

Such a unbelievably heartwarming story. Whoever had him for those 7 years deserves a punch in the mouth!

0points

Wynk2u 8 years ago

I'm really glad he gets to spend his twilight years with the ppl who love him.

0points

NatalieBlenkhorn 8 years ago

How Sam end up at the animal hospital? Was he brought in/picked up as a stray?

-1point

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

He was surrended to the rescue by somebody.

2points

Load More Replies...

AndreBeaule 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AttackOnTitanIsAwesome 8 years ago

Good for you. Stop advertising. You already know that they will dislike your comment. So stop trying.

0points

Load More Replies...

KarinMorris 8 years ago

So someone did that to him? It wasn't caused by some wild animal? My God people are heartless. I hope he gets spoiled rotten for the time that remains to him.

17points

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

Yes, isn't it heartbreaking? His rightful, original owners love him beyond words :)

16points

Load More Replies...

LenaWalters 8 years ago

So, even if it's in another 4 year... I might find my cat one day...

16points

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

I honestly hope you find your cat, Lena x

17points

Load More Replies...

NatalieSnyder 8 years ago

Amazing! Live it up, Sam!

4points

Michel Guntern 8 years ago

Some great images of Sammy; shame I couldn't comment on them individually.

1point

Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

Hi Michel, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see you commenting on my work!

1point

Load More Replies...

Donegalsean 8 years ago

There are a lot of bad people in this world :( but he never gave up!

1point

PaulaKrolikowska 8 years ago

Sammy is a real survivor :)

1point

Wynk2u 8 years ago

Wonderful photographs Kelly. They really capture Sam's joy at being home, & his friendship with Billie.

1point

KatinkaMin 8 years ago

A microchip doesn't help if someone steals your dog out of the front yard. I'm not sure where they lived, but over here dogs do get stolen, especially young and/or little cute ones. You get 300€ for a cute mix, more for a pure bred. The poor dog - so many years of abuse and neglect :-( Thank God, he has a few good years in the end.

1point

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

The microchip is the reason he found his way back to his original family :)

10points

Load More Replies...

Jazmyn B (Jaz) 7 years ago

Those injuries are horrid!! But at the same time, I'm so happy you found Sam in the end. You guys were so lucky!! My neighbors dog escaped from their back yard yesterday and I'm not certain she has been found. She's an old Staffy who is new to the family (passed down from a relative that could no longer take care of her). She escaped an hour or so before nightfall, which sucked for the family, and no there's extremely bad storms planned. I'm hoping she'll be found and okay again.

0points

LPS Cool Bird 8 years ago

This is a really sad story.

0points

Juliette Ferrero 8 years ago

that is so intriguing. what happened ? where were he ???!!!

0points

SquirrelLuvr 8 years ago

If not for the registered micro-chip, this could of ended badly because of his injuries. He's a lucky dog :)

0points

Kandy Lee Haldeman 8 years ago

He looks so wise.

0points

Anand Kumar 8 years ago

So sad story. After losing your dog and after 10 years you found your dog without an ears and eyes so sad... If Sam could only speak the dog can tell what happen. but of course unfortunately not. Thank god Sam came back. Just wondering how Sam disappeared? just curious. maybe the front yard was open air. and then Sam run out in street to walk around but sadly Sam was lost and that's the moment Sam doesn't know how to get back.

0points

Anand Kumar 8 years ago

So sad story. if sam could only speak the dog can tell what happen. but of course unfortunately not. thank god sam came back again. just wondering how sam disappeared? maybe its an open front yard right? maybe the dog was run outside the street and thats the moment sam was lost. and the dog doesn't know how to get back.

0points

Autumn 8 years ago

How do they know that that is the exact dog? It really is a touching story, and it gives hope to everyone who's pet has disappeared.

0points

QuirkyBirds 8 years ago

Aww, what a lovely reunion & very heart warming story. {•x•}•x•}

0points

kristinemonicaong 8 years ago

i felt sad upon reading this. we just lost our beloved dog due to sickness..

0points

SofiaBellavista 8 years ago

Condolences Kristine, I know how hard it is..

0points

Load More Replies...

kristinemonicaong 8 years ago

i felt sad upon reading this...

0points

Hanna 8 years ago

Really a warm story .dog is like a family member to us

0points

JuliaNowakowska 8 years ago

Hi! I am a medical student form Poland and I am doing this re-search about Computer vision syndrome. Would you like to help me and fill up this short google form? Thanks https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vHuPzENgXEeuyHc-T7c6cDoCZ62WxA7U1QxgzQ-O-YM/viewform

0points

SusannaVesna 8 years ago

Someone stole him for sure! Glad the owners never moved or changed their numbers!

0points

GretaBershteyn-Kosenko 8 years ago

Wow so bittersweet

0points

ToddGiroux 8 years ago

Such a unbelievably heartwarming story. Whoever had him for those 7 years deserves a punch in the mouth!

0points

Wynk2u 8 years ago

I'm really glad he gets to spend his twilight years with the ppl who love him.

0points

NatalieBlenkhorn 8 years ago

How Sam end up at the animal hospital? Was he brought in/picked up as a stray?

-1point

KellyPilgrim-Byrne (Post author) 8 years ago

He was surrended to the rescue by somebody.

2points

Load More Replies...

AndreBeaule 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

AttackOnTitanIsAwesome 8 years ago

Good for you. Stop advertising. You already know that they will dislike your comment. So stop trying.

0points

Load More Replies...

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