It is an amazing story of survival which unfortunately will never be told.
Murphy, a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, ran off from her owners, Nathan and Erin Braun, while hiking in Hell Hole Reservoir in Tahoe National Forest, Calif., after being startled by a gunshot 20 months ago.
The Brauns searched the forest for Murphy, put up posters wherever they could and set up a Facebook page. They never gave up hope but feared the worst.
Two weeks ago, the Brauns were told there had been sightings of a dog similar to Murphy.
The family drove to the area on June 7 with Murphy’s blanket and a ball cap belonging to Nathan, News 10 reported.
Camp host Jason Smith reportedly put the items on the ground at his campsite and was stunned by what happened next.
“The very first night I laid it out I heard some movement,” Smith said. “There was Murphy sleeping on the blanket. And right there I knew, that’s Murphy. That’s their dog. It was curled up with its head on the hat.”
Fox40 News reported that the dog was eventually caught by Russ and Janice Watkins, who had been camping at Lewis Campground in French Meadows Reservoir, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from where Murphy was last seen on Sunday.
“The dog actually came over and met our dog,” Russ Watkins said.
Murphy stood next to their border collie, Trip, just long enough for them to take hold of the golden retriever.
“Just kinda walked over and grabbed her by the scruff of the neck until we could get a leash on her,” Janice said.
“She was very timid. She had her tail tucked most of the time, until halfway through Saturday. Then she started wagging it,” Russ said. “She was very sweet.”
The Brauns returned again to pick up the dog.
“It was very touching,” Smith said. “The whole family was crying. I was doing my best to not cry.”
A Facebook page, dedicated to finding her, was updated by Murphy’s owners:
“Our dearest Family and Friends,
“After 20 long months of being in the Tahoe National Forest, Murphy has come home. As you can imagine we are completely shocked and amazed with the miracle of her surviving this long.
“We were reunited with Murphy, on Sunday afternoon — Father’s Day! She is on the road to recovery.
“Words cannot describe how grateful we are.”
Russ Watkins said Murphy’s return home was a good feeling.
“I’m glad she’s back with her owner, because it’s an incredible story. What that dog could tell us right now, if she could talk. Because how she survived, I have no idea,” he said.