Bongo laps up the hugs
Bongo, a much-loved border cross collie, has lapped up extra hugs and pats at Wa Ora Montessori School.
A companion dog at the Naenae school, Bongo disappeared last week.
Owner Carol Palmer suspected Bongo had been taken but on September 22, looking thin and with muddy pads, he reappeared at school.
The pupils were relieved to see him again.
Palmer said Bongo went around the schoolyard greeting his friends and was clearly glad to be back.
The teacher takes Bongo to school and he spends time with another companion dog, Gypsy, which she also owns.
Bongo went missing from her fenced yard near the school and she doubted he had escaped or had gone walkabout. The dog knew his way home from the school and if he was out, a local would have spotted him, she said.
Gypsy recently featured on Stuff Nation. The author of that story, 12 year-old Anna Johnson was in no doubt, prior to his unexpected return, that someone had stolen Bongo.
‘‘Everyone here loves him. If he had run away, he would have come back here because he loves this place.’’