An elderly widow has been reunited with her beloved sausage dog over three years after he was stolen.
Sue Johnson’s dachshund called Archie was pinched from her car near her home when he was just 14-weeks-old.
She suffered a double headache when her husband of 54 years Elwyn died two months later after battling cancer.
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OAP Sue all but gave up hope of seeing Archie again.
So much so the now 79-year-old got another dog called Freddie.
She did launch a nationwide appeal for help but didn’t think he’d ever be found since the theft on 11 April, 2022.
But Sue, of Enmore, near Bridgewater, Somerset was overwhelmed when Archie was found.
He was located 50 miles away in Salisbury, Wiltshire, last Tuesday (5 Aug).
Microchip details confirmed it was Sue’s pooch and Archie was returned to her home, as reported on Need To Know.
“I’ve had the most horrific years of my life,” Sue said.
“What with little Archie being stolen and my husband passing away.
“But now I can start looking forward and hopefully begin to turn things around.”
“I got him when he was only six-weeks-old, but remarkably he seems to remember me and the house.
“It must be the smells and my voice, but it’s so lovely to have him back.
“I didn’t think I would ever see him again, but everyone has been so kind.
“I can actually stop looking for Archie everywhere I go now.”
Lisa Dean, of the Beauty’s Legacy charity, who helped coordinate the nationwide search for the missing dog. urged other owners to keep microchip details updated.
“It’s also important to vary the route of your walk every day, especially in remote rural areas as you never know who’s watching,” she said.
“A huge thank you to everyone who helped in the campaign to find Archie and special thanks to Avon and Somerset Police who have been amazing.”
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “New information relating to the case has been passed on to us and we have potential new lines of inquiry to review.”
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