Owners Return Home to Dog Stolen by Burglars, Get Unexpected Call 1 Month Later
Christmas Eve was supposed to be a day of celebration for one Dallas, Texas, couple but ended in a nightmare.
Bonnie and Stuart Parker had just finished attending a holiday party in the neighborhood when they returned home to a heartbreaking discovery.
Their house had been burglarized while they were gone. Nearly $10,000 worth was stolen, including a laptop, Christmas gifts, and televisions.
Jewelry was also taken, some of it being custom made jewelry designed by Bonnie. While all these things could be replaced, one thing could not — their 8-month-old Shih Tzu, Zane.
The pooch was left in his cage at the time he was stolen. “You can have the whole house.. if the dog hadn’t been taken — we’d be perfectly ok,” Bonnie said.
The couple first got the dog over the summer after their previous Shih Tzu passed away. Since then, Stuart, who is also a lawyer, has fallen in love with the little pup.
In an effort to get Zane back, the couple was offering a $5,000 reward. They also hired a private investigator, questioned neighbors, and posted missing flyers.
“Our life raft continues to float in a sea of human kindness,” Bonnie said in a Facebook post. “We are still looking for Zane but also for ways to express our gratitude to so many who are doing so much.”
As the weeks flew by, the couple were losing hope, but that’s until Tuesday, Jan. 23. Just a month after Zane’s disappearance, the couple received an unexpected call.
A lady had found a dog believed to be Zane wandering the streets nearby. Bonnie said, “She said I have two children, and I have to find someone to watch them — but I’ll go catch it.”
Bonnie rushed over to pick him up.
She then took the dog to the vet to confirm his identity, and the microchip proved it was their dog.
Stuart was at work at the time, but as soon as he got home, he was reunited with the sweet pup. Zane had lost some weight and seriously needed a bath, but overall was said to be OK.
“As soon as I got over by the door, I could hear him bark — and his bark is pretty distinctive — and I was like ‘that’s Zane!’” Stuart said.
During his time away, the Parkers decided to foster another Shih Tzu who is now getting along just fine with Zane.
Although it was a long and difficult process, Stuart said having him back home was evidence that miracles do happen.
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