Sammy - a lovable dog who has one fault.
He is just too friendly.
Sammy's owner Josh Day, of Ararat, has put countless measures in place to keep his beloved pooch safe and out of harm's way.
Mr Day said despite owning the dog since he was a pup, it was only in the last few years Sammy had decided to become an "escape artist".
"It's only been since I've moved he seems to have a habit of helping himself get out of my yard," he said.
"I've put it down to him not liking the loud sounds and unfortunately we're near the gun range - there's nothing I can do about that.
"And our fences are more enclosed compared to our old house where it was a normal farm fence."
Mr Day said Sammy's latest efforts of escaping didn't end as pleasant as usual.
"He got out on a Saturday and someone brought him home because he is quite well known in the area," he said.
"I was working night shift at the time, went to bed and didn't give it much thought and got up and he was gone.
"I left it for a bit of time and didn't put anything out on social media because someone usually drops him off."
Mr Day said he grew concerned after he hadn't heard from anyone and Sammy didn't return.
"I thought he might have been dropped at the pound so I thought I would wait and check," he said.
"I put a call out on social media and a number of people replied that they had seen him in his travels.
"I didn't hear anything until the following Thursday when I got a call from a blocked number."
Mr Day said he was told who had his dog and that he was picked up in Ararat.
"I was given some names and so I asked around and found out where they lived," he said.
"I went and door knocked in the area and asked if anyone had seen my dog.
"I knocked on the door of the house and the person who answered the door was no help."
Mr Day was growing concerned about the well being of Sammy, thoughts racing through his head including the possibility the border collie could be used as a "bait dog".
"I went to the police and they advised me of what I could do," he said.
"So I messaged the people directly and called them out on it. I told them I knew they had my dog and that if he was to be returned no questions would be asked.
"I got a message back within about 10 minutes."
Sammy was returned to Mr Day, it was a welcoming reunion.
"He was curled up in between my legs all night when I got him home," he said.
"It's great to have him back.
"I've ordered a GPS for him and have looked into altering some fencing.
"I need to thank everyone for sharing or spreading the word and those helped search for him. He is really loved by everyone in the area who knows him and is too trusting with people - that's his biggest fault."
Have a story to share? Get in touch - cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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Cassandra Langley
Rural and regional story-telling is where my passion lies. Email: cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Rural and regional story-telling is where my passion lies. Email: cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
