Camron’s delight over return of stolen pooch
Heartbroken boy, 7, had written his own wanted posters for missing pal
LESS than a week ago, seven-year-old Camron was left in tears after his beloved pooch Ralph was snatched from his dad’s work van by thieves.
The little lad was absolutely heartbroken.
He struggled to sleep and would lie on his bedroom floor for hours drawing ‘wanted’ posters.
Four-year-old Boston Terrier Ralph was stolen from outside a house in Bredbury, Stockport, on October 9. Police were called and Camron’s parents Stacey Donaldson and Craig Andrews offered a £1,000 reward for information that led to his safe return.
Along with family, friends and volunteers, they spent days searching the streets for him, as well as handing out flyers and checking any nearby CCTV. A Facebook group was also launched and was joined by more than 2,400 people.
On Monday night, Stacey received the call she at one point never thought she’d get - Ralph had been found in Salford.
“We are just so happy,” said Stacey, 32, from Hyde.
“He’s very shaken and is really skinny, it looks like he hasn’t been fed and his paws are a mess from where he’s clawed at something trying to get out.
“He is still jumpy, but he’s on the sofa now patting down the cushions so he can get comfy so it looks like he’s making himself at home again.”
Stacey said her son was over the moon when they saw Ralph walking towards them.
“He nearly climbed out the window to get to him,” she added.
“You could just tell it was Ralph by the way he was walking.
“He was a bit nervous at first, but as soon as we shouted his name and put our arms out he started to jump up and get excited. “We just can’t believe it. “At one point we started to lose hope, we didn’t think we’d get him back.
“Even last night it still hadn’t sunk in.
“I woke up in the night thinking I need to share the missing poster again, then I realised we had him.”
Over the weekend, supporters began sharing photos of their own pets on social media next to #BringRalphHome posters.
Animals featured in the campaign include dogs, cats - even birds and tortoises.
The family say it has been overwhelmed by all the help and support it has received over the last week.
Stacey added: “We are just so grateful to everyone. Without people sharing posts and supporting us, we probably wouldn’t have got Ralph back.
“Thank you so much.”