Woman's joy after stranger saves dog from river
A four-year-old dog has been reunited with her grateful owner after a week-long trek across the city and a dramatic river rescue.
Border collie Mollie went missing from the back garden of her home in Newbridge Road earlier this month.
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Her 62-year-old owner Lesley Hobbs was distraught and feared the worst as she put up posters appealing for sightings.
But she was overwhelmed by the level of support she received, which saw strangers spreading the word and combing the streets searching for Mollie.
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The lucky dog was pulled out of the river near the Dolphin pub, at Locksbrook Road, a week later by Good Samaritan Ashley Bailey.
Mrs Hobbs said: "I was heartbroken when Mollie went missing and am so grateful to everyone who went out to look for her.
"Most were people I have never met before, and who didn't know Mollie. This has restored my faith in human nature."
After escaping from the garden, there were reported sightings of Mollie all over Bath, in areas including Twerton, Combe Down, Whiteway and even as far afield as Bitton.
All the sightings were reported on the Dogs Lost website, and Mrs Hobbs followed them all up.
Owner and animal share a deep bond, with Mollie being one of the last links to her husband Chris, who died of lung cancer last January.
Mollie was nicknamed Nurse Mollie, after her refusal to leave Mr Hobbs during his illness.
Mrs Hobbs said: "She gave Chris so much comfort in the final stages of his illness. When he died Mollie was so depressed, she used to lie on the sofa bed on his pyjama jacket."
A week after she went missing Mollie was spotted near the river, and when cornered, panicked and jumped in.
Mr Bailey was walking by at the time and jumped in to rescue the dog.
Comments
by Daytona
Monday, August 06 2012, 9:13PM
“Here's Mollies comment page on DogLost so you can follow the story from beginning to end -
http://tinyurl.com/d3tys52
I first heard about her from a shared link on Bath Cats & Dogs Home's Facebook page.
DogLost is a wonderful service and community. If you wish, you can sign up and have alerts sent to you of any lost dogs in your postcode area.”
by VigilanteGran
Friday, March 30 2012, 6:07AM
“So glad she's home safe, good news for once :)”
by aurea_flamma
Thursday, March 29 2012, 10:33PM
“whoop whooop hurray - everyone loves a happy ending - well done to Mr Mr Bailey!”
by jimhill
Thursday, March 29 2012, 9:28PM
“What great news for a change, goes to show that people really can make a difference...Mr. Barton should be very proud!!”
by wales11
Thursday, March 29 2012, 8:26PM
“I followed Mollie on the doglost webite and posted the link on my Facebook page too. So pleased she is home safely, and Mr Barton is a hero in my eyes.”
by 63Geoff
Thursday, March 29 2012, 5:11PM
“Saw the poster at Lansdown, and as an owner of a Border Collie could imagine how the owner felt, one can strike quite a bond with the breed. Good to see a happy ending, well done Mr Barton!”