A grandmother has been reunited with her pooch after her ex-boyfriend sold him online.

An emotional reunion took place at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, last Thursday, when Susan Skinner, 53, from Essex, finally got to cuddle her Jack Russell, Alfie, for the first time in two years.

Mrs Skinner, who works as a carer, said her family were devastated when they found out her partner sold Alfie without her consent and refused to tell her where he had gone.

It transpired Alfie had been sold to a couple in Essex who brought him to Battersea because they were moving house. The couple did not update the details of his microchip which meant Mrs Skinner got a call from the dogs home.

However, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home were able to work their magic and reunite Mrs Skinner with Alfie after finding her contact details on his electronic tag.

The grandmother-of-four said: "He’s such a wonderful dog and it is heaven having him back. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.

"The whole family is over the moon and I am so grateful to everyone at Battersea for reuniting him with his family.

"When I realised my partner had sold the dog without my consent I was devastated, my children were distraught and they kept asking me 'where’s Alfie gone?'

"We were all heartbroken and I couldn’t believe what had happened.

"Sadly, we had no idea where he had gone and no way of tracing him, I thought we’d never see him again, I used to have nightmares about what sort of place he’d gone to.

"When I got the phone call from Battersea I was shocked, I couldn’t speak, it was one of those moments that didn’t feel real. If it hadn’t been for his microchip I would never have seen my little man again.

"He was chipped when he was a puppy, but I didn’t realise how important it would be. I can’t understand why people wouldn’t get their pets microchipped."

Liz McWalter, head of intake, said: "What an incredible reunion after two years of Alfie being separated from his owners. It really does highlight the importance of microchipping your pet."

Battersea offers free microchipping for dog owners. For more information visit: battersea.org.uk



TODAY'S TOP STORIES

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK