Stolen dog reunited with owner after extensive social media campaign

THIS might be the happiest dog you see today. After extensive social media sleuthing by her owner, Harper the stolen pooch has been returned. GORGEOUS VIDEO

THIS might be the happiest dog you see today.

It was the moment Harper the boston terrier was reunited with her owner, Sarah Jane Van Daalen, after being missing since April 14 from Sumner Park in Brisbane’s southwest.

It even happened to be Harper’s second birthday the night they were reunited on May 1 at the Manly Road Veterinary Hospital where she was dropped off.

Not that she knew, as she wriggled and ran around in excitement at seeing her owner again for the first time in weeks.

Harper will also never understand how her owner, who believes her dog was stolen, launched a social media campaign and did her own detective work, after she said she had little to no help from the police.

Stolen dog Harper was stoked to be reunited with owner Sarah Jane Van Daalen.

Miss Van Daalen, 27, said she believes Harper was stolen from the front yard of her parent’s Sumner Park factory on Good Friday, because she is an expensive breed.

“She was in the front yard where she isn’t normally unless someone is supervising her,” she said.

Miss Van Daalen, who plastered Harper’s photo everywhere from sign posts to internet lost and found pages also started a paid Facebook campaign.

She also created a “Find Harper” Facebook page, where she posted videos to update the page followers, including one offering a substantial reward for the return of her dog.

But in the video, the hair company brand ambassador pointed out Harper was sold as a pet and was not meant for breeding due to some characteristics considered flaws.

In the video, Miss Van Daalen also said she, Harper’s “mother,” was the only person who would even consider paying any money for a dog with the said breed imperfections.

“I didn’t know what their intentions were with Harper, so I was trying to cover all bases,” she said.

“She’s not considered a show dog.”

Miss Van Daalen has owned Harper since she was a puppy and first saw her at three weeks old.

Despite a number of disappointing false leads, Miss Van Daalen soon came across a message asking about the dog’s reward on a lost and found site and started researching the person.

Harper meets 13-week-old puppy Nora.

Describing herself on her page as a modern-day “Sherlock” in reply to a follower’s question about the man’s post, she came to the conclusion that particular person did not have Harper, but may know who did.

“Most of the investigation I had done by listening to the right people, along with some gut feelings,” she said.

“But I wasn’t going to back down until I found her.”

Miss Van Daalen said Harper’s microchip was still registered to her breeder, so when she received a call from the breeder about 7pm Monday, saying the dog had been handed in to a vet surgery in Manly, she finally believed it could genuinely be Harper.

“I don’t know if the person saw the publicity and that freaked them out,” she said.

In tears, Miss Van Daalen and a friend immediately headed to the vet hospital in Manly.

“I didn’t want to be upset when I saw her but I was a blubbering mess ... and until I actually saw her in the vet’s arms I wasn’t totally sure it would be my dog,” she said.

“Everything said it was her, but I’d had so many disappointing calls.

“I can’t even remember that moment. I know it’s an unforgettable moment it still like I keep looking at Harper and it doesn’t feel real.”

Miss Van Daalen said she was now looking into tracking devices for both Harper and her 13-week-old puppy Nora.

She also said she was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers who helped spread the word about Harper, including via Facebook and Instagram.