It's the real-life Homeward Bound! Homesick sheepdog makes incredible 12-day 240-mile journey back to his original owner after running off from his new farmhouse. Dogs are said to be man's best and most loyal friend - and in the case of Pero the sheepdog, the old saying is certainly true. The lovable black and white pooch made an incredible 240-mile journey back to his owner after he was handed over to another farm for a trial. Pero was taken to his new home in Cockermouth, Cumbria, by farmer Alan James from the country village of Penrhyncoch, Wales, at the beginning of March. But on April 8, Mr James received a phone call to say that four-year-old Pero had gone missing while herding sheep, and was nowhere to be seen. Mr James, 54, said: 'It was amazing but we have no idea how Pero did it. 'He must have a Sat-Nav in his brain.' 'A sheepdog can go all day and cover a lot of ground. But it is a mystery how he found his way here. 'We don't know how he was fed or if he hitched a lift. 'But it was incredible when he turned up on a doorstep.' He added: 'We would love to solve the mystery of how he managed it.' Mr James and his wife Shan, 47, were so taken aback by Pero's loyalty that they decided to welcome him home for good. Mrs James said: 'He was very excited to be back both with the family and the other dogs. 'It's a total mystery as to how Pero has managed to find his way back to us. We know that dogs can find their way home, but 240 miles is a long way to travel.' Mrs James said she believes the black and white sheepdog must have somehow persuaded good Samaritans to feed him on his way home, as he didn't appear to be malnourished. She said: 'When he came back, he wasn't hungry or weak, so he must have managed to find food somewhere. 'He must have stopped in places along the way. 'We would love to know if anyone along the route saw a mystery black and white sheepdog. It is an amazing adventure - and we are very happy to have him home with us on the farm.'