A very happy four-year-old Feiladh Walsh on the return of her two-year-old Doberman Pincer pictured with community warden Alan Nolan: Credit: Seamus Farrelly

It was a dream come true for Feileadh Walsh when she was reunited with her beloved dog Ace - a year after he went missing.

The three-year-old was "delighted" after the family got a call from the local dog warden who had found him in an emaciated state.

Although nearly 18kg under weight and needing veterinary care, Doberman Ace recognised Feileadh straight away.

He was found by three young boys in Navan and taken to a local vet who alerted the community warden, Alan Nolan.

"The dog was suffering from malnutrition and had a high temperature and infection, but because of a microchip we were able to locate his owner, Conor Walsh, in Kells, who was delighted to get Ace back," said Alan

"He's a very friendly and well-mannered dog, but he was just down in his boots due to the state he was in."

Conor said he could not believe his luck when he learned Ace had been found.

"He was just one-year-old when he went missing in December 2015 and we looked everywhere for him," he said.

"We rang Meath County Council, all the animal shelters, even gardai to report his disappearance.

"My partner, Caoimhe, also put news of his disappearance on social media. We did everything we could and then, after a few months, thought that if he was found it would be someone in authority, such as Alan.

"Feileadh was very upset when Ace went missing. They went everywhere together. Anywhere she toddled, he was straight behind her."

Caoimhe said: "Poor Feileadh was lost without him.

"As soon as he came home, he went straight over to her with a tennis ball and nudged into her to play. She was just delighted to see him."

Meath County Council was able to quickly reunite Ace with his owners because he had been microchipped.

It is now urging all pet owners to get their pet animals chipped.

Online Editors