A terminally ill man has made a heartbreaking plea to be reunited with his lost dog which was bought to keep his wife company when he dies.
Tim Blagden took in Poodley, a black toy poodle, just two weeks ago as he did not want his partner, Pat, to be lonely while he goes through the final stages of his battle with cancer.
However, during a walk in the city-centre last week, Mr Blagden, from Aberdeen, fell and the three-year-old dog “slipped” her lead.
Mr Blagden has been searching for his frightened pet ever since.
“She had never been walked on a lead before, however I persevered with her and was starting to get somewhere,” said the 68-year-old.
“I stumbled and Poodley started jumping about with fright. She slipped her collar and was off like a shot.”
The little dog was spotted that day near Morrisons on King Street and also at Regent Quay towards Market Street.
Since then, people living in Bridge of Don have also said they spotted her in the area.
“She just ran away and didn’t give them a chance to catch her,” he said.
Mr Blagden has been out searching every day since Poodley went missing with the help of volunteers, and has been putting posters up to let the public know what she looks like.
Unfortunately, the couple did not have a chance to get her chipped.
“We had the vet appointment set up, we just hadn’t been yet,” he said.
“Both my wife and I were, and still are, totally distraught.”
Mr Blagden was diagnosed with prostate cancer last April, and has since found out the disease had spread to his pelvic bone and lymph nodes.
He finished his chemotherapy three months ago after finding out the cancer was terminal.
The couple went in search of a dog earlier this month and picked up Poodley from a home in Turriff.
Mr Blagden said she was a “very, very nervous” dog and “extremely timid”.
However, she had started to come out of her shell in the short time she was with them.
Mr Blagden said his wife, who has also suffered from ill health, was “in bits” about the loss.
“We thought it would be the perfect time to get a dog,” he said.
“She was just beginning to cosy up to us and I know she would have settled in fine.
“If anyone has seen her, or if anyone has taken her in thinking she is a stray, I beg you to let us know.
“Wherever she is, I will come and pick her up.
“We’re desperate to have her back.”
Have you seen Poodley? Contact the Press and Journal newsdesk on 01224 343311.