From Rags to riches as missing poodle is found

AN ecstatic pensioner has said she’s enjoying her “best Christmas ever” — after she was reunited with her missing pet poodle.

Irene Cunningham was left distraught after seven-year-old Rags went astray around the Stobswell area of Dundee at around 3pm on Saturday.

Drivers at the McGill Street taxi rank, near the local Co-op, last saw Rags — who can fit into a handbag and can be mistaken for a puppy — running towards Kemback Street.

However, Irene is now over the moon after Rags was found hiding under a car at Dura Street Motors.

Rags is now back and settling in with Irene and her husband Steve at their home in Longforgan.

Irene said: “I’m just so relieved to get Rags back.

“Everyone was so helpful and I can’t thank everybody enough.

“It’s made this the best Christmas ever and just I’m lost for words.”

Her granddaughter, Stacey Stewart, 27, from Invergowrie, said desperate attempts were made to find Rags, with an appeal being put out on social media for any sightings.

She said: “The dog had been missing since Saturday afternoon.

“Gran had been in Family Friends, a dog-grooming business in Stobswell, where she helps out.

“She went back to her car to put her poodles into the vehicle but Rags must have managed to jump back out of the car without anyone having noticed.

“Gran went back to the car shortly after and realised she was gone. She was absolutely distraught and we began the search straight away.

“We put flyers up in the area she went missing and posted images of Rags and where she disappeared on a number on social media sites.

“Gran wasn’t sleeping or eating as a result of Rags going missing.

“She was up all night checking Facebook to see if anyone had spotted her.

“The response to try to help find Rags was incredible.

“Although we never gave up hope that we would find her, at times we did start to think the worst.

“Especially because there was some frostier nights over the days she was missing.

“When the garage called us and said they had found her, we were just over the moon.”

Dura Street Motors owner Colin Guild, who has had the business for 30 years, said finding Rags was certainly a first for the firm.

He said: “We were very surprised to find Rags. She was found hiding under one of the vehicles parked in the garage.

“My wife said there was a dog missing in the area and we contacted the family to say we’d found her.

“When we reunited Rags with her family they were all overwhelmed — and there were a few tears of joy.”

Irene Cunningham has been reunited with her miniature poodle Rags.