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UPDATE: Trish Armstrong-Gibson’s dog has been found. She was headed back to B.C. on Thursday.

What should have been a merry Christmas for a B.C. family visiting Edmonton over the holidays has instead been a devastating holiday.

Trish Armstrong-Gibson was in Edmonton visiting her son when four days ago, the family’s brown mini-Labradoodle — Murphy — escaped from the yard.

After a fruitless six-hour search, the family was heartbroken, only to receive a call with what should have been heartening news.

READ MORE: New Jersey officer saves dog struggling to stay afloat in icy pond

Armstrong-Gibson had asked her neighbour in B.C. to check her home phone because the number was listed on Murphy’s collar.

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An Edmonton man had called, saying he had found Murphy. He had seen Murphy get clipped by a vehicle near 66 Street and was able to catch the dog.

Murphy recently got a haircut, so his curly brown hair is clipped shorter than seen here. Facebook / Trish Armstrong-Gibson

That’s when another man in a white pickup truck turned around and offered to help.

“He was like, well, he can take the dog to the vet,” Armstrong-Gibson explained. “And the other guy who found the dog, he was going to work. He said the guy looked sincere and concerned, so he [agreed].”

The man in the pickup truck left a phone number that turned out to be disconnected. Armstrong-Gibson and her family have been calling local vets for days, as well as Animal Control, but still no sign of Murphy.

She said as far as they can tell, the man in the white pickup truck has not made an effort to return Murphy — and presumably still has their pet.

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“White guy, around 32-35. Really short brown hair. He took Murphy — he said he would take him to the emergency vet and put it on Facebook,” Armstrong-Gibson said. “But as far as we can find, he never did any of those things.”

She said the situation has been upsetting and confusing for her family. Murphy has now been missing since Dec. 23, with no sign there’s been any effort to return him.

Murphy was last seen with a man in a white pickup truck. Facebook / Trish Armstrong-Gibson

“We have our granddaughter living with us — [Murphy’s] helped her in so many ways,” she said.

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“He’s a really big part of our family. He’s just a little ball of love, and we really would like to have him back.” Tweet This

The family is offering $500 for Murphy’s safe return. They have notified Edmonton police, who ask anyone with information to call the non-emergency line or to contact Animal Control.

“Just turn him in, no questions asked,” Armstrong-Gibson said. “If it’s someone who sees him and they want the reward, bring him in, we’ll arrange the reward.”

The eight-kilogram dog has brown fur, and his appearance is similar to a poodle. Identifying features include a flat, harmless lump on his left shoulder that can be felt while petting him. His fur is thinner around the muzzle and he is missing some teeth from dental surgeries.

The man last seen with Murphy was possibly driving a Chevrolet.

Edmonton Animal Care & Control can be found at 13550 163 Street and can be contacted by dialing 311.