“What a wonderful start to the new year.’’
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Jenny Leonard was in celebratory mode yesterday after an emotional reunion with much loved family pet, Emma.
The 11-year-old Australian Tenterfield terrier disappeared from a Firgrove property late on December 22 when massive thunderclaps sent her scurrying for cover in surrounding bushland.
Family members spent eight days searching and had almost given up hope when an exhausted, dirty and bedraggled Emma turned up at the back door.
“We couldn’t believe our eyes,’’ Jenny said.
“For us it was a Christmas miracle.
“If only Emma could speak - we would love to know where she has been.’’
Emma remains “in a bad way” on a drip in a local veterinary hospital.
“We have been told she is lucky to be alive,’’ Jenny said.
“Starving and dehydrated, she used all her remaining energy to get back home. It must have been a struggle for her and we are so thankful to all who helped us search.’’
The family knocked on doors, distributed fliers and advertised in the hope of discovering helpful snippets of information.
People responded with messages of support and one little boy telephoned because he was upset that Emma wouldn’t be home for Christmas.
“Her presents remained under the tree but our hopes were fading because she was gone for such a long time,’’ Jenny said.
“We try to keep Emma indoors when a storm is approaching because she becomes frightened and disorientated.
“She doesn’t like thunder and in the past has run for miles. Once she took shelter in a neighbouring garage and was accidentally locked in because the owner didn’t see or hear her.
“We feared something similar could have happened this time, especially if the owners were away for Christmas.’’
heather.crosby@ruralpress.com
