Two pomeranian puppies reported stolen from a Langford home have been returned to their owner.
On Nov. 27, the eight-week-old puppies — Mila and Stripe — were at Tracy Vandekerkhove’s home on the 2700 block of Claude Road. The puppies were for sale and Vandekerkhove held several showings of them.
According to ROAM — a local group that reunites owners with their lost pets — someone came into the house at one point saying he was a neighbour or friend.
When Vandekerkhove was busy doing paperwork for the sale of one of the puppies, Mila and Stripe disappeared.
On Thursday night, ROAM posted on Facebook that the puppies were reunited with their owner.
READ MORE: Two Pomeranian puppies reported stolen from Langford home
“It’s just such a miracle to get them back,” said Vandekerkhove.
One of the puppies, Mila, will be staying with Vandekerkhove. She was born premature and Vandekerkhove already had plans to keep her before she was stolen.
Stripe will be going to a close friend of the family.
“We’re not going to let them out of our family,” Vandekerkhove said. “After everyone in the community has put so much work and effort in.”
Leslie Steeves of ROAM and Vandekerkhove said a man had purchased Mila for his daughter for $300, which is much less than what she is worth. His neighbour reached out to ROAM when she had a hunch her friend bought one of the stolen puppies.
“Turned out it was a really good guy who had a good friend who helped get the puppy back to the family last night,” Steeves said.
READ MORE: Stolen East Sooke puppies returned
Vandekerkhove said she reimbursed the man man for the $300 he paid for Mila and also gave him a $1,000 reward. She will also be helping the man find a new puppy for his daughter.
Vandekerkhove said Stripe was dropped off on the front porch of the home late Thursday night.
“It’s all about people doing the right thing,” Steeves said.
Vandekerkhove said ROAM and community members sharing the story of the missing puppies had a big hand in their safe return.
“I can’t even thank the people there’s so many,” Vandekerkhove said. “The community brought them back.”
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
