Nicky, sheltie

Lost dog finds way back home
By Donathan Prater
Published: August 31, 2010

He came home a few pounds lighter and a shade darker.

Fortunately, those are two things a bowl of dog food and a good bath could fix for Nicky, a four-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, that had been missing for nearly six weeks since being lost from an Auburn animal hospital in July.

Shortly after going missing, Nicky’s owner, Christy Hines, 33, offered a $500 reward for his safe return home.

It turns out that all that while, Nicky didn’t actually find his way home; he did the next best thing by showing up at Hines’ mother Charlene Hines’ home at approximately 7 a.m. Thursday.

“As my mother pulled into her driveway, he came up the car, she opened the door and Nicky jumped in the car,” Christy said.

The time between the call from her mother that Nicky was OK and when she drove over to her mother’s home to get him was an emotionally tense one for Christy.

“When I saw him for the first time, I just started crying tears of joy and relief at seeing him,” Christy Hines said. “I pulled him into my lap, held him for a while and gave him a hug and kiss on his nose.”

With the recent string of hot days and being alone, Hines at times feared the worse for Nicky.

“I was afraid that he had not been able to survive, but he’s obviously much tougher than I gave him credit for,” Hines said.

Later that same morning, Hines took Nicky to the veterinarian where other than being treated for a few bug bites and given an IV for dehydration, he was given a clean bill of health and a much needed bath.

Over the last few days Nicky has been getting reacquainted with his favorite toy, a stuffed owl and catching up on his sleep, which he enjoys doing at Hines’ feet.

“The (Nicky) stuffed owl is his favorite toy, but he pretty much likes anything that squeaks,” said Hines, who continues to be grateful for all those who spent time looking for him and kept him in their prayers.

Comment Posted by chines on Sept. 1, 2010 - 8:36 a.m.
I would like to thank everyone who spent their time looking for Nicky, posting flyers, and keeping him in your prayers and thoughts. I was overwhelmed at the generosity of people who were strangers, but were offering help and support. That meant more to me and my family than you could ever imagine. I have lived here for 3 years, but I truly understood the meaning of Auburn family over these past weeks. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Source: http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/aug/31/lost-dog-finds-way-back-home-ar-774234/