Missing dog reunited with family after 18 months in 'Christmas miracle'

A West Lothian family is celebrating what they describe as a “true Christmas miracle” after being reunited with their beloved dog, 18 months after he disappeared.

Prince, a white Maltese, went missing on June 1, 2024, prompting a large community search effort involving friends, neighbours, volunteer drone operators and social media users.

Posters were circulated, CCTV was checked, and appeals were shared tens of thousands of times – the search effort even reaching America – but no reliable sightings were ever reported.

For the Dalrymple family, the loss was devastating.

Their daughter, Alisha Dalrymple, a student in Dundee, said it felt like “losing a family member”.

The Dalrymple family said it was like losing a 'family member'. — The Dalrymple family said it was like losing a ‘family member’. Alison C via Supplied

“Until this happened to us, we never fully understood the depth of grief that can accompany the loss of a pet with no closure”, she said.

The family’s children continued to put up hand-written posters and hoped he might still return, but as months turned into nearly two years, the situation remained unchanged.

‘Christmas miracle’

Alisha, who just turned 21, said that last week she prayed for what she described as a “Christmas miracle”.

On Tuesday morning, the family received a phone call from Animac Vets in Morningside, Edinburgh, that they never expected.

Alisha’s grandmother, Fran, was told that a dog had been handed in after randomly walking into a laundrette next door.

He was taken straight to the veterinary practice, where the staff checked his microchip number; it was a perfect match with Prince.

Alisha has been reunited with Prince. Alison C via Supplied

The vet explained that the pooch was in good health and had been found wearing a coat and collar.

Fran, who collected Alisha and drove straight to Edinburgh, said they found the situation hard to believe until they saw him.

“When Prince was brought out, it felt like we were dreaming, and yet there he was, the same Prince we lost nearly two years ago,” She said.

Other family members joined the reunion video call. Michael, auntie Sylvia, Brian and Alisha’s mum were emotional on seeing him again, and the youngest, Nial, was “completely speechless.”

“We can’t thank them enough,” the family said.

“We realise that Prince did not simply wander off as a puppy,” they said. “But the joy of having him home is immense.

The family described the reunion as “the best 21st birthday present Alisha could have imagined.”

“Sometimes, even when hope feels lost, unexpected things can still happen.

“Christmas surely is the season of miracles, and we are happy to have seen and experienced one of these rare occurrences in life.”