There’s nothing more heartbreaking than losing your beloved family pet. However, this tale has an unexpected twist that is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Peter and Paula Closier couldn’t believe their eyes when their missing beagle returned home, having won a ribbon from a dog show.
Having escaped through an open gate, the family were worried that they would never see their beloved five-year-old beagle Bonnie again.
However, Bonnie took them all by surprise when she returned home, revealing that she’s actually a very talented pup indeed.
A tragic tale with a happy ending ‒ losing the family pet
While the story, thankfully, has a happy ending, this tale didn’t start out on such a positive note.
Bonnie disappeared in July, escaping from the garden through an open gate. Peter and Paula were sick with worry, recruiting their kids and neighbours on the hunt to find Bonnie.
The pair also contacted local police, vets, and animal shelters to see if they could offer advice that would help them find their four-legged friend.
Worried sick, the last thing the pair could have expected was that their missing beagle would return home with a winning ribbon from a dog show.
How events unfolded ‒ a chance meeting
John Wilmer was on his way to the local dog show in Felbridge with his two canines when he spotted Bonnie at the side of the road.
Realising the five-year-old beagle was lost, he put her in his car with his own two dogs. Running late for the competition, he didn’t have time to bring her to a shelter. So, he posted a photo on social media asking if anyone knew the owners of a lost dog.
Speaking to the BBC, John said, “She was such a lovely dog, I thought it’d be good to enter her.”
Being a rescue dog found on the streets of Crete in Greece, Bonnie was entered into the rescue dog class. And, much to the family’s surprise, the missing beagle managed to scoop a third place ribbon from the dog show.
A happy ending ‒ reunited with her family
Spotting the post on social media, Paula reached out to John to let him know she was Bonnie’s owner. So, after winning a ribbon from the dog show, the missing beagle was reunited with her loving family.
Speaking to the BBC about the frightening ordeal, Paula said, “We’re so thrilled she’s safe and well and also a winner. You couldn’t make this stuff up.”
She continued, “She’s had such a full life. When John brought her back to us with a rosette, we couldn’t believe it. It’s a shame she didn’t come first in the show.”
Paula and Peter haven’t yet revealed whether they’ll be entering Bonnie in future competitions. For now, the beagle pup is just enjoying life at home with her family.
You can follow Bonnie the Beagle on Instagram here.