Vila Nova de Milfontes - a picturesque fishing village on the Portuguese coast. Here lives five-year-old Teresa with her mother Tatiana Sanna. "Our family is my daughter and me. And our dogs, of course. Mine is called Navi, my daughter's is Boris," explains Tatiana.
Boris, a Labrador cross, is more than a pet - he's Teresa's best friend. Both dogs often wander through the village alone, perfectly normal in this peaceful community. But on 7 November 2024, Boris doesn't return home from one of these walks!
A phone call changes everything
Despite the family in Vila Nova de Milfontes trying everything, including reporting the matter to the police, the dog remains missing. For more than six months, five-year-old Teresa cries every night for her Boris.
But then, after months, the family's phone suddenly rings. On the other end: an animal shelter from northern Germany - with incredible news!
On Monday night, police in Bad Oldesloe in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, found a stray black dog. Nothing unusual for the local animal shelter at first - until they scan the chip.
The 15-digit code on the microchip doesn't point to a German registration, but to a foreign one. The animal care workers can hardly believe what they discover next.
Through the international search portal Petmaxx, they finally made contact with Boris's veterinary practice in Portugal. The team immediately informs owner Tatiana, followed by a highly emotional video call.
"I'm still speechless - and grateful," says Tatiana through tears. The news that Boris is alive and well feels like a miracle to the little family.
Teresa cries - this time with joy
When Tatiana tells her daughter the news, the five-year-old bursts into tears - of happiness. "She completely lost it," the mother explains. And Boris seems to feel the same.
Still at the shelter, Boris recognises his young friend's voice on the phone. "He reacted immediately - he knew exactly who was speaking," reports a staff member.
Preparations are currently underway for Boris's return to Portugal. The owner has already submitted all necessary documents. The shelter in Bad Oldesloe wants to help the family with the arrangements.
"My husband is a haulier, friends regularly drive to Portugal - we'll sort something out," Mirjana Kayser from the shelter's board is confident.
Police investigate: How did Boris get to Germany?
The big question remains: How did Boris get from Portugal to northern Germany? Police have a suspect in their sights, a man from Bad Oldesloe. He contacted the shelter after they shared a photo of Boris on Facebook.
When he came to collect the dog, police were already waiting for him. During questioning, the man contradicted himself. He claimed the dog had simply wandered up to him, but this seems questionable.
Either way, the man will have to answer for this matter. Animals are legally considered found property and must be reported to the authorities. Failing to do so can have criminal consequences. Police are now investigating on suspicion of theft by finding.
What really happened remains unclear. For Tatiana and Teresa, right now, only one thing matters: their Boris is alive and coming home. A happy ending nobody thought possible anymore.
