Jim Gardiakos reunited with dog almost seven years after she went missing

A HEARTBREAKING search for a missing dog in Altona Meadows has come to a happy end — almost seven years after beloved pooch Mia disappeared from Jim Gardiakos’s front yard.

Jim Gardiakos lost his dog almost seven years ago and despite a huge search she was never found. Until now. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A HEARTBREAKING search for a missing dog has come to a happy end, with beloved pooch Mia reunited with Jim Gardiakos nearly seven years after she disappeared from his front yard.

The English staffie went missing from Mr Gardiakos’s Altona Meadows home on December 8, 2010, despite having a history of good behaviour and wearing a tag with her owner’s phone number on it.

Mr Gardiakos launched a huge search to bring the dog home but after a year, began to lose hope he would ever see his best friend again.

“I know she’s only a dog but to me she’s like part of the family,” Mr Gardiakos said.

“I had her from a young age, trained her, and just had her with me all the time.

“I drove around everywhere for months; at night I walked around, I put flyers everywhere.”

Mr Gardiakos said he had almost given up hope until late September when he received a call from Central Animal Records to say Mia had been taken to a vet and her microchip scanned.

Jim Gardiakos’s dog Mia has returned after almost seven years. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The person who brought the dog to the clinic had left with her.

“I was in shock, I thought grouse — I’ll get her back,” he said.

“But getting the information about where she was seemed impossible. None of the agencies could tell me where she was and weren’t allowed to give me any information.

“I felt like why ring me if it’s not going to happen? Why put me through it again?”

Fortunately, volunteers from Lost in the West were able to track down the property and on Mr Gardiakos’s behalf, brought his long-lost dog back.

Jim is finally reunited with his pet dog Mia. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“It was a big relief to finally see her again and have her back home,” he said.

“When they brought her back she sniffed around at first but I’ve noticed now she already remembers which rooms of the house she’s not supposed to go into.

“Even when taking her for a walk she seemed to know the way home even when I took her on a different route.

“I still can’t believe she’s back after such a long time.”