Dog's return leaves owner delighted
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A Dingwall man has been reunited with the rescue dog he hopes will help him turn his life around after tragedy struck two years ago.
Willie Jack (49), of Deas Avenue, went to Munlochy Animal Aid last Saturday and took a liking to a black and white collie that had been abandoned weeks ago, and was still nervous and a bit frightened.
It was his late mother's birthday and the dog was exactly the same as her beloved collie that took ill and had to be put down when he was only eight.
But only two hours after taking the collie, which he named Blue, to his home, Mr Jack was putting rubbish in his bin outside and watched in despair as the dog bolted past him.
He raised the alarm with Iona Nicol at Munlochy Animal Aid, but despite a massive response to a Facebook lookout appeal, and several sightings out in the countryside near Maryburgh and at Pitglassie, Blue could not be caught.
Then, incredibly, on Sunday, the clever collie turned up not far from Mr Jack's house and was soon back with its delighted owner.
Mr Jack explained that he had been struggling after the death of his son William (23). He said: "William got involved with the wrong people and was given something and didn't wake up from it. We were all struggling, and I couldn't go into the living room where there were pictures of him. My life was coming home, sitting in the kitchen then going to bed."
But recently after seeking professional help, Mr Jack said he decided to make changes in his life – and one was to get a dog.
"In the short time I have had Blue it has changed my life," he said. "I am now feeling much happier in myself and can now sit in the living room. The best medicine is to get an animal, something that needs you and keeps you focussed."
Mrs Nicol said: "We were delighted to have found an ideal new carer for Blue. Thanks to Facebook there were loads of sightings of Blue and he was seen at the Maryburgh Roundabout, at Pitglassie, back to the roundabout, and then on the railway line. We were out searching until the early hours along with a few other very kind folk but no luck. On Sunday morning we got a call to say that there was a collie fitting Blue’s description at Burns Crescent, just a stone's throw from Willie’s house.
"My husband Graham and myself headed straight to Dingwall and called Willie on the phone to let him know. By the time we got to Deas Avenue this amazing dog was back at Willie’s garden gate but too nervous to go in. After a neighbour appeared with her two lovely dogs, Graham managed to get a lead on Blue and he and Willie were reunited.
"Willie says Blue is going to turn his life around. Hopefully its going to work for them both."
