Mickleham man finds pet after social media storm alerts compassionate new owners

Craig Medley was devastated when he lost his beloved Rocky. Then more than a year later they were brought back together — but it came at a bittersweet cost.

Craig Medley reunited with his beloved Rocky, thanks to a generous family and social media. Picture: Rob Leeson.

A man has been reunited with his lost dog after more than a year, thanks to the selfless generosity of strangers.

Mickleham resident Craig Medley was away when his 11-year-old beagle cross staffy, Rocky, fled while under the care of extended family in Craigieburn.

But an error in Rocky’s microchip number in the Hume Council database, combined with out-of-date owner contact details, meant the beloved pet couldn’t be returned home.

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Mr Medley, who got the dog as a puppy, said he was devastated to learn Rocky was now with another family.

“We were inseparable,” Mr Medley said.

“He slept at the end of my bed … came to work with me.”

Craig Medley said he never stopped hoping he would be reunited with Rocky. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Then Rocky was given to the Guineys in Craigieburn, who loved him too, and named him Frankie.

But a Facebook post made Dorothy Guiney realise their cherished Frankie might belong to someone else.

Ms Guiney’s teenage daughter Gracie-Lee had adopted him 17 months ago after their cat Mavis died.

“We went down to the Lost Dogs’ Home and she saw this dog and she liked him straight away,” Ms Guiney said.

“It’s like she connected to it. Frankie became a part of the family.”

However, when Ms Guiney discovered Frankie’s previous owner was still searching for him she felt they had to let Mr Medley know Frankie was safe and loved.

“But then it played on my mind all night and I … said to the kids, ‘the right thing to do is to hand Frankie back to his owner’,” she said.

“I just had to make sure Frankie was going to be looked after.”

They met at the Lost Dogs’ Home.

“The moment [Mr Medley] walked in … and he saw [the dog] and the dog saw him, that was a priceless moment,” she said.

“The dog jumped on him, put his [paws] around Craig and wanted a cuddle.

“He knew it was his owner.”

Ms Guiney said giving up their pet was hard for every member of the family, but she had no regrets.

“We wanted to do the right thing, we did it from the heart,” she said.

Mr Medley, who has given visitation and weekend stay rights to the Guineys, said he had “mixed emotions” at having his “best mate” back.

“I am devastated for them,” he said.

“Not many people would do what they have done.

“I am just so grateful and thankful that [Rocky] went to a family that gave him such love and care.”

To update your pet registration details visit hume.vic.gov.au/petsinhume, or go to your local council’s website.