The photographer did go back, and claimed to have found him. A Dallas newspaper printed a big story of how they found him and rescued him. But the picture of the second dog didn't match up.
A number of people pointed out that those were NOT the same dog, and the paper had to print a retraction.
The photographer stands by his story and says the only difference was the first time he photographed the dog, the dog did not have tags. The second time he photographed it, the dog had tags.
(No explanation provided as to how *that* might have happened.)
There are many, many people working to find Oily dog and Snowball. And there are some prospects showing up online in various found pets/shelter photos just now getting posted, so there is still hope.
Thanks again, green pastures. Don't know when a pet has touched me that much so really appreciate the potentially positive outcome.