Joy as Prince comes home after 16 days

Joy as Prince comes home after 16 days

21 June 2017

A NEWCASTLE man has been happily reunited with his beloved dog Prince after an agonising 16 day search.

The miniature Schnauzer’s disappearance prompted a huge community effort— even involving the Coastguard in the search. But just as heartbroken owner Joseph Beattie was giving up hope, Prince walked back through the door of his Burrendale Park Road home on Saturday.

He’s a little worse for wear and clearly in need of a few good meals but Joseph is delighted to have him home — as is Prince’s brother Teddy.

“I wasn’t sleeping at night over it,” said Joseph. “He’s such a friendly wee dog, a playful wee dog.

“In the mornings when I took Teddy out for his walk he was shaking. He really missed Prince. He wasn’t himself.”

The large search carried out got underway with the help of Lost/Found Pets South Down on Facebook. Murlough, the nearby golf course and caravan parks were among the areas searched.

Joseph has extended thanks to everyone who helped, including Monica McDonald and the Facebook team, the Coastguard, the National Trust and Chris Craig who assisted with a drone search. Despite their much appreciated efforts, Joseph and his family were despondent when there was still no sign of Prince.

“Then on Saturday night I was having a couple of beers in the house with my dad when my sister opened the door and there he was,” said Joseph.

“He was down to the bone but his tail was wagging. I was quite shocked. I didn’t know what to say.

“Teddy was barking at him. Probably, ‘Where have you been?’”

“We are trying to feed him liquid food to build him back up and I am taking him to the vet today to make sure he is OK.

“Thanks to everyone who tried to help.”