Losing a dog can be a devastating event. It’s one thing if your dog passes away, but it’s an entirely different thing when your dog disappears.
It can lead to a life of questions and a feeling that something isn’t quite resolved.
Losing her dog was especially traumatic for Tae Bennett. She was just 12-years-old when thieves cut her dog’s leash while she was walking him in the park and snatched him up before speeding away in a car.
She spent 10 long years wondering what became of her beloved pooch.
However, Bennett was amazingly reunited with her Chihuahua recently.
At 22, Bennett never thought she would see her dog Ollie ever again.
A kind travel company worker had offered up a reward for her missing dog and put up posters around town to no avail.
That kind person eventually got her a dachshund named Chilli to replace Ollie.
But miraculously, Ollie was found by some kids in a park in Hounslow, West London, about 20 miles from Bennett’s home in Beckenham, South London, 10 years later.
Bennett was completely astounded by the news that Ollie was still alive and had been found.
“My family had a call from a Hounslow Council Animal Welfare Officer, letting us know that a stray had been found near Hounslow Heath,” Bennett told Daily Mail.
She was able to identify Ollie by his distinct grey marking and his microchip.
“When I was told he’d been found alive I just burst into tears,” she said. “It was incredible and I never thought this would happen. After being missing for just under a decade I couldn’t believe it was him. Overall he is in good condition but he still needs to be checked over by a vet.”
Bennett says she suspects that Ollie may have been used for breeding and that he either escaped or was let go due to his age.
“He was 2-years-old when taken from me and still remembers his life before being taken,” she said. “As soon as Ollie came into the room and heard my stepdad’s voice, he immediately walked over to him, rolled onto his back, and let him scratch his belly. He definitely recognised him. As for myself, it took him a little bit longer, believe it or not, I look and sound completely different than I did when I was 12.”
Ollie is settling in well with his family again and is happy to be with his family.
Not only does he have his family back, but he also has a new brother.
“They love each other and cuddle up together, which is lovely,” she added. “I’m really careful when I take him out now.”
Ollie and Chilli are getting along great! Bennett says she hopes that sharing her story will make more people aware of dog theft.
” I’m really careful when I take him out now. People really don’t realize how quickly this can happen and how devastating it is,” she said.
The American Kennel Club estimates that about 2 million dogs are stolen each year. Those numbers shot up during the pandemic when pets were in high demand.
You can find small-breed dogs going for thousands of dollars on places like Craiglist. But thankfully, Ollie was reunited with his family.
Learn more about his story in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
