A DOG owner says she is “gobsmacked” following an emotional reunion with her seven-month-old puppy which had been missing for eight days.
Mother of two Beth Paine said she had “prepared for the worst” after her chocolate Cockapoo named Paddington went missing in the Poole heathlands on Boxing Day during a walk.
Nine sleepless nights later and after hundreds of people carried out searches, Paddington was found – leaving vets “shocked” at his relatively unscathed condition.
Westbourne resident Beth told the Echo: “I just can’t believe the support we were given and I don’t have words as I’m still shocked he’s home. I’m just gobsmacked.”
Various sightings of a dog wondering around the Poole area reported to Beth in the days leading up to Tuesday, January 4, would ultimately prove fruitless.
She said prior to Tuesday morning, she had “prepared for the worst” believing Paddington to be “stolen” or even “dead”.
However, she has described two strangers as “heroes” after they managed to corner the frightened pooch with treats.
Daniel Bartlett and Tom Keniston spotted Paddington near Arrowsmith Road having recognised the dog from various social media appeals.
The men followed Paddington which caused the dog to growl, however they ultimately won it round with some treats and strokes before getting it on a lead and moving to the Canford Magna Garden Centre.
An emotional Beth was then reunited with Paddington, who gave her quite the welcome with lots of licks and a wagging tail.
She said: “When I was walking up, I did have this worry as to whether or not it was him. It took him a few seconds and then he was wagging his tail and licking me so it didn’t take him long to figure out who I was which was amazing.
“Now he’s home resting and it’s like he was never away. I thought he was going to be all scared so I’m shocked he’s acting like he’s just had a short weekend away.”
She added her sons Chester and Reggie were “in bits” over the dog’s disappearance, with three-year-old Chester regularly asking, “when’s Paddington coming home?”
Beth added: “Before I got the phone call, I really thought someone had stolen him. I was so tired and started to think he’s not coming home and I didn’t know what else I could physically do. It got so draining.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who did what they did over the last week. We’re so thrilled he’s home.”
Paddington was taken to the vets shortly after the reunion where, aside from weight loss concerns, the all clear to go home was given.
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