A Northumberland man has expressed his gratitude after Tyne and Wear Metro workers helped reunite him with his missing dog. Barry Churchill, 47, from Choppington, described feeling a 'wave of relief' when his 3.5-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback Bobby was found safe.
Dog Escapes from Sitter's Home
On the morning of Friday, June 19, Bobby escaped from the home of a dog sitter in Gosforth. Churchill had just arrived at work around 9am when he learned that his dog had bolted out the front door. Bobby ran through Jesmond Dene, onto Armstrong Bridge, and ended up on the Metro tracks between South Gosforth and Ilford Road.
Churchill said: 'He had barely been there half an hour when I got a call at work that Bobby had got out of the house and ran away, and I was just feeling so much panic. I had to do my best to control my emotions, and I went to Facebook so that I could try and get help from people on there.'
Social Media and Sightings
Churchill shared posts on Facebook, and people reported seeing a lost dog in the Jesmond Dene area. A photo confirmed it was Bobby. 'I just felt like I didn't know what to do, and I was so worried about Bobby and how he was doing,' he added.
Metro Staff to the Rescue
Nexus staff found Bobby and walked him to Ilford Road station, then contacted Churchill. The reunion brought immense relief. Churchill said: 'When I was reunited with Bobby I just felt a massive wave of relief, I was so happy to see him, and so grateful that he was ok.'
Bobby's paws were worn down from running, but a vet bandaged them, and he is recovering with the help of dog shoes. Churchill has been working from home to comfort Bobby and plans to build trust with a new dog sitter. He also hopes to thank the Metro workers with beers.
