Motherwell family's joy as stolen dog is recovered

Jun 27 2012 by Euan McLelland, Wishaw Press

Tess was found by chance after Brian Queen, Dominics brother, had a craving for sausages.

BRIAN Queen’s craving for bangers brought his brother Dominic some smashing news – he found his beloved stolen puppy!

Motherwell man Dominic Queen and his family had been left heartbroken when their three-month old Patterdale Terrier called Tess was nicked from the front garden of their Watsonville Place home late last month.

By the time Dominic’s brother Brian grew a hankering for sausages last week, the family were beginning to believe they would never see Tess again.

However, when Brian’s doting partner Lauren ran to Wishaw’s Tesco to pick up a pack of sausages, she could not believe her luck – there was Tess!

Jacqueline Mitchell – Dominic and Brian’s sister – told the Wishaw Press: “Brian decided that he wanted sausages for his lunch last Wednesday, so Lauren went to Tesco specifically for weight-watchers’ sausages. She never usually goes to Tesco but it’s the only place that sells the Weight-Watchers kind.

“When she arrived she instantly saw a dog that looked exactly like Tess standing tied up outside. She was convinced it was her.

“A Polish woman then came out and Lauren asked her about the dog. The woman said she’d bought her on Gumtree from a man who arranged to meet her in Parkhead after saying it would be too upsetting for his kids if he handed the dog over at his home. So she met him at Asda, Parkhead, and paid £200 for her. She had renamed her Suzie.”

Convinced the woman had been sold Tess, Lauren contacted the rest of her family, who all made their way to Tesco.

Jacqueline continued: “The woman was upset but we told her we didn’t think it was her fault and we just believed that the dog was ours. She then agreed to walk round to the vet to have Tess’ chip scanned.

“We were all absolutely delighted when it was confirmed the dog was Tess. We already recognised her, but still everyone was screaming and crying – we were all just over the moon and have been celebrating since!”

It was then time to take Tess back to Dominic, Jacqueline and Brian’s 40-year-old disabled brother who’d been given Tess for his birthday in March.

“Dominic’s eyes just lit up when we brought her back,” said Jacqueline.

“He’s so happy to have her back, you could tell he was really, really missing her. Now he’s smiling from ear-to-ear.”