<div><p>It had been over a year since their young Pit Bull, Nina, had been stolen from Northam and April Morris' yard. On that night in December, the couple let young Nina out for a bathroom break and only stepped away for a moment to make a cup of tea.</p><p>When they called her back in, she didn't return. </p><p>For more than a year, the couple searched desperately for their beloved dog. They put up posters and spread the word on Facebook but they had no news. Just when it had seemed as though all hope was lost for ever reuniting with Nina, they saw a familiar face on television.</p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-4.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-4_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank">Carolina Waterfowl Rescue</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p><a href="http://wpde.com/news/crime/stolen-dog-seized-during-cockfighting-raid-reunited-with-owner?id=1185522#.VR2wFmZv060" target="_blank">Local news</a> reported that an emaciated dog had been seized during a cockfighting ring bust in Marlboro County, South Carolina and that rescuers were searching for her family.</p><p>Nina appeared on screen looking thin and dejected. </p><p>Her family could not believe what they were seeing and immediately contacted Jennifer Hyduke with the Humane Society of Marlboro County.</p><p>"It seems so surreal to us. It's such a miracle to have her back," Morris told ABC 15 news.</p><p><strong>However, when they went to pick up their long lost pup, the Morris' were greeted with quite the surprise...</strong></p><p></p><p>Nina was discovered by the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, one of the organizations involved in saving 120 roosters during the a cockfighting bust that saw 27 people arrested. </p><p>Among all the birds, they found popor Nina, chained outside, with 10 newborn puppies huddled in a makeshift kennel by her side.</p><p>Volunteers shared a tender moment between Amie, a volunteer with Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, and sweet Nina. That was probably their pup's first hug in over a year. </p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-3.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-3_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank">Carolina Waterfowl Rescue</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-2.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/06/nina-rescued-cockfighting-2_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cwrescue" target="_blank">Carolina Waterfowl Rescue</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Before reuniting with her mom and dad, Nina and her puppies were picked up by the Marlboro County Humane Society. Although they got more than they were expecting during the runion, Nina's family couldn't be happier to have her back - they <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HumaneSocietyofMarlboro?fref=ts">wrote</a>:</p><p><em>"She's right back sleeping at the foot of our bed. Her pups beside her. If she goes outside we are right there with her. As we learned, one quick trip to make a glass of tea can cause unmentionable grief. I just want to thank you all.. Especially Mrs. Starling and her Husband, Thank you. Thank you God!!!!!!"</em></p><p>Her family planned to keep the puppies until they were ready to be adopted my families already selected by the Marlboro County Humane Society. As for sweet Nina, she's been microchipped and she never leaves her parent's sight! </p><p>Thankfully, after her horrible ordeal, her disposition hasn't changed, she's happy to be home.</p><div><amp-facebook data-href="https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.b.white.5/videos/10204069798651719" layout="responsive" height="600" width="640"></amp-facebook></div><p></p><p>[h/t <a href="http://www.reshareworthy.com/stolen-dog-rescued-from-cockfighting-operation/">Reshareworthy</a> / <a href="http://wpde.com/news/crime/stolen-dog-seized-during-cockfighting-raid-reunited-with-owner?id=1185522#.VR2wFmZv060" target="_blank">ABC News</a>]</p></div>
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