Fibi back for Christmas

A FAMILY whose missing pet dog was rehomed before they could claim him back from a local pound have had their beloved pet returned in time for Christmas.

Frances Scarborough from Meakstown, Finglas, and her family were heartbroken when their 11-year-old terrier, Fibi, went missing from her parents’ home on Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, last August.

Fibi went missing when she went on one of her regular

‘wanders’ around the area. The family searched for days and put up posters but by the time they learned she had been found and brought to the pound she had already been rehomed.

Unable to locate the new owners he family embarked on a campaign to trace Fibi and bring her back. They put up posters, started a Facebook page and contacted Northside People to see if their local newspaper could help.

Northside People ran a story about Fibi and Frances posted it onto the Facebook page.

Eventually their prayers were answered when they were contacted by a woman from Co Tyrone.

“She got in touch with us and told us she’d read the story and thought she had the dog and wanted to give her back,

? Frances said.

Frances sent pictures of Fibi with the family to the woman who confirmed that the dog she had was definitely their missing pet.

“She could see that we were a family who loved Fibi and that we’d just lost her through an unfortunate chain of events,

? Frances continued.

The family arranged to collect Fibi and drove up to Co Tyrone to collect her. They were anxious about how the dog might react but any concerns that Fibi had forgotten them were soon dispelled.

“We were afraid she wouldn’t want to come back to us but she just ran to me as soon she saw me and when my mam called her she got very excited,

? Frances said.

“She hadn’t seen my dad and when he whistled to her from behind she just went totally nuts.

“Fibi definitely knew what was after happening to her, the poor thing. Her ears went up every time she heard my dad speaking in the car all the way back to Dublin. It’s amazing. It was breaking my heart that she might think we had abandoned her.

“You’d know she missed the family but she was very well looked after. I was dreading coming up to Christmas because I knew it would put a dampener on things because everybody would be talking about it.

?

Frances and her family are grateful to the woman who returned Fibi and looked after her during her four month adventure.

“Fibi’s lucky to be alive,

? Frances told Northside People

“I knew she was too old to be adopted by a family so I had a feeling she might have ended up with somebody who takes dogs in. This lady took Fibi in so she wouldn’t be put down because she loves that type of dog.

“We’ve been very lucky. That lady was very kind so fair play to her.

?

Frances and her family are determined never to lose Fibi again and have taken steps to ensure her safe return if she ever wanders again by having her microchipped.

“We were so naïve because nothing like this had ever happened us before,

? Frances explained.

“I do understand that the pounds are overrun and I’m sure it is a very difficult job but we didn’t even have a clue to go up there first.

“I think lots of people don’t really know what to do when they lose a pet, but I’m an expert on it at this stage.

?

The family are naturally delighted to have Fibi home for Christmas but they haven’t forgotten all those who supported them during their campaign.

“We want to thank everybody who helped, especially Duncan Smith (Labour Party representative for Meakstown-Charestown), Denise and Aisling from Donore Credit Union and our great neighbours, Kathleen O’Sullivan and Audrey Comerford, who all gave their time and support to help get Fibi home,

? said Frances.