Nathan Braun received a Father’s Day gift this year he will surely never forget.

In October 2012, Nathan and his family took their dog, Murphy, on a camping trip to Hell Hole Reservoir Campground in the Tahoe National Forest. During the trip, something made Murphy take off. The Brauns searched for Murphy but were forced to return home to El Dorado Hills, about 20 miles east of Sacramento, without their beloved Murphy.

The Brauns posted fliers and continued to search. They met with locals and organized groups of friends and family to look for her.

In November 2012, the Brauns started a Facebook page for Murphy to get the word out. There were several sightings in October and November 2012, but then she seemed to disappear.

Thoughts, prayers and birthday wishes for Murphy were posted over the months on her Facebook page. The Brauns refused to give up hope of finding their Murphy.

Nathan Braun and Murphy

Then earlier this month, a couple of campers at French Meadows Reservoir – about five miles from where Murphy had disappeared – saw a dog that matched Murphy’s description. They contacted the Brauns, and the Brauns immediately drove to the campground to search for Murphy. They searched for days but couldn’t find her.

At this point the Brauns, who must have been completely crushed from the heartbreaking let-down, were forced to once again return home without Murphy. However, they left Murphy’s old bed and some of their clothing with Jason Smith, the campground host, in hopes the dog would respond to the familiar scents.

About a week later, on Father’s Day, the Brauns received wonderful news. Smith called them to tell them that Murphy had been sleeping on the bed and clothing they had left behind.

Smith said that on the very first night he laid out the items for Murphy, he heard some movement. Later, he saw a dog curled up on the bed with her head on the hat that had been left for her.

“Right there I knew, that’s Murphy. That’s their dog,” Smith said.

He managed to coax her into a kennel until the Brauns arrived at the campground for their reunion.

The Brauns say Murphy is “very thin and frail but happy to be home with her family.” They expressed complete shock and amazement that Murphy had survived for this long.

The Brauns never gave up on their beloved Murphy. They never stopped searching for her, continually posting new and updated fliers, meeting with locals, organizing searches, and they can now finally celebrate the end of their emotional rollercoaster ride and breathe a huge sigh of relief that Murphy is back home where she belongs.

Anyone who is a pet parent can easily identify with that.

Linda Castro is a former attorney who is a nature enthusiast and animal lover.  She currently serves on the board of the SCV-based Community Hiking Club.  Her articles highlight local and community stories that are heartwarming, uplifting or inspirational.  If you have a story you’d like to share with her, contact her at poisonoak.linda@gmail.com.  Include photos if you’ve got them.