UPDATE: Senior dog healing at home after being missing for three years
A senior Chihuahua who was reunited with her family in Vancouver after being missing for almost three years is recovering well at home from a number of injuries.
“She is doing great,” said owner Konstantin Kleiner. “She has gained a pound and is way stronger.”
The little dog named Delilah went missing from the family’s backyard in March, 2020.
The 13-year-old Chihuahua was brought to the BC SPCA on Dec. 7 after being found in a box outside the Richmond Trail Appliances store.
“The poor little thing was in horrible condition,” said assistant manager of the Richmond SPCA, Emma Michel in a media release on Dec. 14. “She was emaciated, dehydrated, she appeared to be partially deaf and blind, she had no teeth, she had suspected frost bite on the ears, and she was anemic.”
The dog was rushed to a veterinarian for treatment.
A photo of Delilah was put on the SPCA Facebook page and someone recognized it and remembered the name of the family who was looking for it.
Once Delilah’s ownership was verified, a reunion was arranged.
“There are definitely a lot of emotions,” Kleiner said. “We’re focussing on the positives.”
READ MORE: iN VIDEO: B.C. family reunited with dog missing for three years
The dog is recovering and putting on weight with care from the family. Where she has been for the past 33 months remains a mystery.
“We have no idea,” Kleiner said. “We suspect someone had her and when she became a burden dropped her in a commercial area.”
Delilah will require ongoing care with her family.
“It’s been interesting having her back,” Kleiner said. “We have five kids and run two businesses so it’s been another layer to add to our lives. We are happy to have to her and she definitely brightens up our holidays.”
READ MORE: iN HOLIDAY: How Bernese mountain dogs celebrate Christmas in Okanagan
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
