"Clancy, oh Clancy, you're home!" exclaimed his 'dad'.  "What happened to you, where have you been??"  And he scooped Clancy up in his arms and looked him over closely. 

He saw a tag on his ear: Acme Animal Experiments, No. 47. 

"So THAT'S what happened!  Those evil, awful, animal experimenters stole you!  I'm going to call the police and the Humane Society right after I get you and your friend some food.  Then we'll have the vet come over and make sure you're okay.  I've missed you SO MUCH!"