A woman from Totternhoe was left “utterly distraught” after thieves stole her beloved Shih Tzu from her front garden last week.
Adele Mardell, 67, took her eyes off 11-year-old Kizzy for a short time and was horrified to find her vanished from her play area.
She said: “Anyone who’s an animal lover will know what I’m feeling. It’s terrible, it’s like losing your own child. She’s such a big presence in the house and she never left me. She has all her little toys in her room.
“I know she was taken, because she was clipped on to the gate post in the front garden, where she like to watch everybody go by.
“Whoever unclipped the leads had left one lead hanging and took the outer lead, so there’s no doubt in my mind she was taken.”
The theft of the dog took place on Tuesday, September 9 at around 11am.
As Totternhoe is a close-knit community, Mrs Mardell says she is confident someone nearby knows where Kizzy is. The black and white Shih Tzu has been a constant companion to her owner for three years and the two were inseparable.
Mrs Mardell said: “Wherever she is, I know she will be very upset and won’t respond to anybody. She will be very distressed.”
Kizzy has cataracts and receives treatment for a skin condition. Her chest and front legs are white.
Anyone with information about Kizzy’s wherabouts is advised to call Mrs Mardell on 01582 601287 or 07932 573615.