When Lynne saw the scars on the little dog’s belly and face, she knew that Terry had finally been found after six long years of searching.
Port Alfred, South Africa (13 July 2026) – We’ve reported on many stories where beloved pets have gone missing – cats and dogs disappearing for months and sometimes years on end before finally being found and reunited with their families. In those stories, we’re always reminded of the power of hope. This is one of them.
Terry went missing six years ago. The hope of finding her never left her carers at Retreat 2 Eden, an animal welfare sanctuary on a farm in Southwell, in the Eastern Cape. It was the place where Terry had first learned trust and safety.
“This is where she first felt love and acceptance. This is where she felt safe for the first time.” Retreat 2 Eden shared in a post on Facebook, when Terry went missing those many years ago.
Her carers, Lynne and Johann, became the only people she truly trusted. Still, they wanted the very best for her. A life outside the sanctuary with a family who could love and care for her with undivided attention. In June 2020, they found Terry her ‘forever home’.
But before that chapter could even begin, Terry went missing.
“She had bolted when she got a fright and got away from the transporter during handover to new adoptive family,” Lynne shared.
A whole village got behind Retreat 2 Eden to help find her. Locals and animal communicators alike searched for months. Feeding stations were set up. Eyes were on the ground and around the areas where Terry could have escaped to. They had no luck.
“Despite everyone’s determination and after three long months of Johann searching, Terry was still not found. As with most dogs when they get a fright and bolt, no matter how used to people they are, they often still choose to hide – it’s instinct. Sadly over time they can become more and more difficult to catch,” Lynne wrote.
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The Extraordinary Journey and Emotional Reunion of Yo-Yo the Frenchie!Lynne and Johann continued searching for Terry over the years. As time passed, the chances of finding her grew slimmer, but their hope never faded.
“We were devastated – but we never gave up hope or stopped praying. Over the years we continued to scan lost-and-found posts, always hoping that one day Terry’s face would appear.”
Then, almost six years after her disappearance, something incredible happened.
“Almost six years to the very day she disappeared, I sat down at my computer one morning – and what I thought was Terry’s face appeared on FB…”
A local had shared a post about a little dog found in Bella Knoesen Jackson’s garden in Hilton. The dog bore a striking resemblance to Terry.
“Bella was amazing. She took the little dog to the vet and nursed her back to health, cared for her so well until we could organise for her to be collected to come back to Retreat 2 Eden. Renate Haussmann from Fleetfoot Transport collected the little dog and took her home, where she looked after her beautifully for about two weeks until her next trip to our area.
“Until then we were pretty sure that it was Terry, but after six years, she had obviously aged.”
During a video call with Renate, Lynne and Johann were finally able to confirm what they had been hoping for.
“Then came the moment that changed everything. On a video Renate shared of the little dog we noticed a scar on the little dog’s thigh, and one on her face. They were identical to those on Terry.”
After six long years of surviving on her own, Terry was finally coming home.
She’s now back at Retreat 2 Eden, the place where she first learned to trust and the place she has always considered home. And so, it’s only fitting that she gets to stay.
“Terry’s story is one of courage, resilience, hope and love. It is a reminder never to give up hope, expect miracles and never cease praying because sometimes the impossible becomes possible – sometimes, miracles really do happen.”
Retreat 2 Eden is a sanctuary for abused and vulnerable animals, specialising in rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and release.
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