Dog Missing For 6 Years Until Mom Visits Mother-In-Law’s Holiday House

Gone

Kacey sat crying uncontrollably. She couldn’t be consoled because her dog and best friend, Sammy, had gone missing.

Her husband Cole kept asking her how he had disappeared, but all Kacey could say was, “I don’t know. He just left my side. I thought he went to eat something, but now he is gone.” Cole knew that Kacey would never get over this.

Her Precious Baby

Kacey and Cole Harding had been married for five years, but Cole knew when he married the love of his life, he wasn’t just getting her. He was getting her precious baby too.

Sammy, a beautiful border collie, was a gift from Kacey’s mother when she first started working. It was a way for her to always have a companion and know that there would always be someone waiting for her when she got home.

Inseparable

Kacey went nowhere without Sammy, he was practically glued to her side. They were inseparable, and the few times that Kacey couldn’t take Sammy with her, he stayed by the door, waiting for her to return.

That’s why it puzzled everyone that Sammy would wander off on his own. It was not in his nature.

A Mystery

Kacey worked from home as a graphic designer, and Sammy had a bed right under her desk just so that he could be close to Kacey at all times.

Kacey didn’t think it was unusual when he got up. He usually went to eat something in the kitchen where his bowl was. But how he got outside was the real mystery.

The Doors Were Locked

Kacey’s home office was upstairs, so she usually locked all the doors downstairs to keep safe. And they didn’t have a dog flap for Sammy to exit through.

He would simply bark at her when he wanted to go out and relieve himself, and Kacey would stand there and wait until he was finished. He was an indoor dog. He only went out when Kacey went out.

Blaming Herself

Kacey wracked her brain, trying to unravel the mystery of how her boy went missing. She blamed herself for not watching him, but at that moment, she was in an important Zoom meeting with a client and couldn’t get up.

Before she even realized anything, Sammy was long gone. Where was he, and was he safe?

Heartache

Terrible things crossed Kacey’s mind, thinking about where he could be. She couldn’t imagine if someone else had taken him and how they were treating him.

Or if he was all alone somewhere in the cold with no shelter or food to eat. Kacey’s heart ached with pain. She needed to find Sammy before it was too late.

Posters

Cole had done everything he could to appease his wife and help her find her beloved furry friend. He, too, was very worried about Sammy and wished that he could be found.

They made posters with a very recent photo of Sammy on them and distributed them all around the neighborhood in the hopes of finding him. Maybe someone had seen him somewhere.

Losing Hope

But when days turned to weeks, Cole quickly began losing hope of ever finding Sammy. He thought by now someone would contact them with information about his whereabouts.

He was becoming very worried. But Kacey was not giving up at all. She was still clinging to hope that they would be receiving some news very soon. And she was right.

The Phone Call

One Saturday morning, as Kacey was lacing up her boots to go out and search for Sammy, She received a phone call from someone. “Hello, is this Kacey Harding?” Kacey’s heart skipped a beat.

“Yes, this is her. How can I help you?” Kacey knew in her heart that it was about Sammy. She just didn’t know what to expect.

A Terrible Realization

“I was walking through the park, and I found a collar with the name Sammy on it. I immediately called the number on it.” Kacey sank to her knees in agony but mustered the courage to reply to the caller.

“Thank you so much. I can meet you in the park in 15 minutes to get it from you.” She hung up and started to cry. She came to the terrible realization that someone had taken Sammy.

Who Would Do This?

Who would do this? If someone was a dog lover like she was, they would know that the dog had a loving family who was looking for it.

Who was such a monster to separate a dog from his family? Kacey could only imagine, and now, she only had questions. What was she going to do now?

Remaining Focused

Kacey quickly wiped away her tears and composed herself. She had to stay strong and focused. Grabbing her car keys, she rushed out the door, determined to find the person who had just called about the collar.

As she arrived at the park, her heart raced with anticipation and anger. She scanned the area, searching for the person who had called her.

Where Is Sammy?

Finally, she spotted a middle-aged woman holding Sammy’s collar in her hand. Kacey approached the woman with a mix of desperation and fury. “Are you the woman who called me? Where is Sammy?” she demanded, her voice trembling.

The woman looked uneasy, her eyes darting around. “I found the collar abandoned in the park. I thought it would be best to call the number and let you know,” she explained, her voice faltering.

A Feeling Of Dread

Kacey’s anger subsided slightly, replaced by a sinking feeling of dread. It was possible that someone had discarded the collar after taking Sammy. But why?

With a glimmer of hope still lingering, Kacey pleaded with the woman. “Please, if you saw anything else or have any information, I need to find my dog. He means everything to me.”

Nothing

The woman hesitated, her gaze shifting guiltily. “No, nothing, I swear. I just spoke to your mother-in-law, Martha, the other day. She didn’t want to talk about Sammy.”

Kacey’s heart skipped a beat. She thought Martha had been away on holiday. Maybe she could talk to her and hear if she had seen or heard anything about Sammy.

Unexpected Response

When she got home, she quickly got her mother-in-law, Martha, on the other line. She frequented the park a lot, and Kacey was positive that she must have seen something.

But when Kacey called her, she did not expect the response she received from her. “I didn’t see or hear anything, dear. Besides, I’m away on holiday.” Kacey could’ve sworn that Martha was avoiding her.

A Strange Conversation

When Kacey told her husband Cole about the strange conversation she had with his mother, Cole just shrugged and brushed it off.

He had an idea for them to visit his mother at her holiday house to take Kacey’s mind off of Sammy being missing. She needed some rest and relaxation. But Kacey wasn’t so sure.

Was Sammy Gone For Good?

But Cole later convinced her that if there was any news about Sammy, someone was sure to call either of them. Kacey hesitated but knew he was right.

It had been so long, and at the back of her mind, she knew the chances of finding Sammy right now were slim. Although she didn’t want to, she needed to accept that he might be gone for good.

The Visit

Reluctantly, Kacey agreed to visit Martha’s holiday house with Cole. It was a beautiful coastal retreat, nestled among tall trees with a view of the ocean.

The peaceful surroundings seemed like a stark contrast to the turmoil that had consumed their lives since Sammy’s disappearance.

As they arrived at the holiday house, Kacey couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off.

Tension

The air was heavy with tension, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Martha knew more than she let on.

The visit started on an awkward note, with Martha seeming distant and distracted. Kacey couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. What was she hiding? She decided to confront Martha directly, determined to uncover the truth.

Something Was Not Right

“Martha, I know something’s not right. Please, if you know anything about Sammy, you need to tell me,” Kacey pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.

Martha’s expression softened, and tears welled up in her eyes. Kacey now knew that her instincts were right. Martha was definitely keeping something from them. But she had no idea that it would be something so shocking.

Sammy?

“I’m sorry, Kacey. I’ve been keeping something from you,” she confessed, her voice trembling. “Sammy… he’s here. He’s been here all along.”

Shock and relief washed over Kacey simultaneously. “What do you mean he’s here? Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked, her voice laced with frustration. Why was her mother-in-law doing this to her?

He Wanted To Leave

Martha explained, her voice quivering, “I didn’t know how to tell you. I’ve grown to love Sammy over the years, so I used my set of keys to let him out of your house. Besides, he willingly left with me. Maybe he wanted to leave you.”

Kacey’s emotions swirled with disbelief and anger. “How could you do this to me? You know how much he means to me. He was a gift from my mother. I’ve suffered so much pain and heartache,” she exclaimed.

Never Meant It

Martha’s face turned pale, her eyes filled with remorse. “I never meant to cause you pain, Kacey. I thought I was doing what was best for Sammy. He seemed unhappy with you, always waiting for you to come home. I thought he needed a change.”

Tears streamed down Kacey’s face as she struggled to comprehend Martha’s betrayal. “You had no right to make that decision for me. Sammy was my family, my companion. How could you take him away?”

A Terrible Mistake

Martha reached out, her voice trembling with regret. “I’m so sorry, Kacey. I know I made a terrible mistake. I was selfish and thoughtless. I should have discussed it with you first. Please forgive me.”

Kacey’s heart was torn between anger and a deep longing to be reunited with Sammy. She couldn’t deny the connection she had with her furry friend. “Where is he now?” she demanded, her voice wavering with a mix of hope and fear.

Reunited

Martha’s face softened, and she guided Kacey to a secluded room in the holiday house. As they entered, Kacey’s eyes widened in disbelief. There, lying on a plush dog bed, was Sammy, wagging his tail at the sight of his beloved owner.

Overwhelmed with emotions, Kacey fell to her knees and embraced Sammy, holding him tightly. She whispered through her tears, “Oh, Sammy, I missed you so much. I thought I’d never see you again.”

Torn

Sammy licked Kacey’s face as if trying to reassure her that he was back where he belonged. The bond between them was unbreakable, and nothing could erase the love they shared.

As Kacey and Sammy reunited, Cole stood by, torn between anger towards his mother and relief that Sammy was safe. He knew he had to address the situation and find a way to rebuild the trust that had been shattered.

Inexcusable

With a heavy heart, Cole turned to his mother. “Mom, what you did was inexcusable. Kacey and Sammy deserve an apology and an explanation for your actions. We need to work through this and find a way to heal.”

Martha nodded, tears streaming down her face. “You’re right, Cole. I never realized the depth of pain I would cause. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”

Back Home

In the following days, Kacey, Cole, and Martha embarked on a journey of healing and reconciliation. Martha sought therapy to understand her actions, and the family engaged in honest conversations to rebuild trust and forgiveness.

Meanwhile, Sammy adjusted to being back in his familiar surroundings, surrounded by the love and care he had missed for six long years. The experience had changed him, and he clung even tighter to Kacey, appreciating the bond they shared.

Disclaimer: In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.