Franklin, boston terrier

Family reunited with missing dog more than a year later
by Tiffany Craig / 11 News, khou.com
Posted on June 6, 2010 at 6:22 PM


SHARPSTOWN, Texas—A year-long search for a missing dog had a happy ending for one local family.

Tammy and John Harding were visiting family in Sharpstown in May 2009 and took their dog Franklin along for the trip.

The Boston Terrier was outside when a thunderstorm moved in. Terrified of the noise, Franklin scurried under the fence and vanished.

The Harding’s 3-year old daughter Kinsley struggled most with the loss.

"When we lost him, all she said was ‘where’s Fray Fray?’It just broke my heart to tell them that mama doesn’t know where he is," said Tammy Harding.

The family searched for month, putting up flyers and going door-to-door. They never got one phone call.

That is, until Saturday.

Tammy still can’t believe what happened.

"He’s like ‘Ms. Harding? I think I found Franklin.’"

Miles from where the dog disappeared, Gary Kretz noticed something darting through traffic.

"All these cars are coming to a stop and I see these little legs moving on top of the intersection," said Kretz.

Kretz chased down the dog and scooped him into his work truck. He says the Boston Terrier had fleas but was otherwise in good shape.

"I got him cleaned up, fed him," Kretz said. "He was really, really hungry."

Kretz took the lost dog to the vet and discovered that he had a microchip. That’s how the call was made to the Harding house.

He recalled the conversation.

"Have you lost a dog?" said Kretz. "She says oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. I never thought this day was gonna come."

After more than a year of searching and hoping, Franklin is now home where he belongs.

"He is part of our family and I’m truly happy to have him back," said Tammy Harding.

Kretz is no stranger to rescuing dogs. He has picked up more than a dozen in the past few years, but most ended up getting adopted.

The exception: Franklin the Boston Terrier.

See the video here

Source: http://www.khou.com/news/local/Missing-dog-is-found-more-than-a-year-later-95733319.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#