Christmas day was a little merrier this year for the Anthony and Amy Merriman family of Little River after a little help from the city of Temple Animal Services department and its supervisor, Walter Hetzel.

The story actually started a week before Christmas when the Merriman family dog, Copper, was missing.

More than just a loved family pet, Amy Merriman said that Copper was a graduation gift to her after she left college about three years ago.