Dog returns home to family after four months

A family in East Aurora is reunited with their dog, Murray after four months. “We were just elated. We were so thrilled. We were just crying.”

The Coulter family said their 4-year-old border collie, Murray, ran away September 30th. “I saw him leaving and it was the worst feeling you can imagine and it replayed over and over in my head all the time,” Marlee Coulter explained.

The family did everything it could to spread the word about their missing dog. They bought lawn signs, distributed flyers, put an advertisement in the paper, and made a Facebook page. The goal was to bring Murray home, and the Coulter's said the East Aurora community rallied behind it.

“It was just amazing the support we got from the community it really was, everyone,” Susan Coulter said.

“Every like, share, comment and every time somebody mentioned his name mattered. Spreading the word was the most important thing,” Marlee added.

In fact, social media gave the Coulters the break they'd been hoping for. A Facebook user tracking Murray's case spotted him while bird watching at the Tifft Nature Preserve. “She knew his story from Facebook and she thought it was him. She looked really closely. She had a really good camera with her so she took some great shots,” Susan said.

And sure enough it was Murray. They caught him at the Outer Harbor along Fuhrmann Boulevard. The Coulters said they couldn't have done it without the help of strangers. “I want to thank everyone who has helped us and followed us and expressed their concerns,” Marlee said.

Yes, having Murray home safe and sound makes the Coulter's feel doggone lucky. “Him missing was a part of my life missing too. I can't stop smiling. Ever since 6:30 this morning I've been smiling the whole day,” Marlee said.