Twiggy proves stickability

REUNITED: Diana Reid and her beloved puppy Twiggy, who survived three weeks lost in South Wairarapa last month. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A Martinborough property owner wept tears of joy when her seven-month-old border terrier Twiggy returned home after surviving three stormy weeks lost in South Wairarapa.

Diana Reid said Twiggy had escaped from the Willowstream Estate property in Martinborough, which she owns with husband Jamie, and was visiting with daughters Jessica, 10, and Emily, 8, during a weekend away from their capital city home early last month.

Twiggy, the youngest of four border terriers the Reids own, had been left to run around with her sire, Fitzy, on a Saturday about noon, Mrs Reid said.

"They'd been tied up and were let out into the garden to play and run about like they do. Next thing, my husband told me they were gone. We immediately started looking for them."

Mrs Reid said the property is located almost 5km off Ponatahi Rd and by dusk the family had failed to find any sign of the lost pets despite frantic searching and a desperate call to police.

Early the next morning a bedraggled and ravenous Fitzy appeared at the back door of their Martinborough home, she said. He wolfed down a bowl of food and promptly fell asleep. "Obviously there was great relief. I went outside and called for Twiggy but there was no sign of her," she said.

Family, visitors and some volunteer firefighters from the town later that day scoured nearby riverbanks for the lost puppy, returning empty-handed.

Mrs Reid reluctantly returned to Wellington and from the city pleaded by phone for help and extra vigilance from SPCA, Martinborough neighbours, nearby farmers, territorial authorities, vets, and transport companies. She also posted online notices about Twiggy to petsonthenet.co.nz and Trade Me.

The family left out food and bedding for their lost pet and launched fruitless searches over the ensuing days, while family friend and Martinborough resident Robin Omerod completed daily hunts for the pup that likewise failed.

"We searched and searched over Labour Weekend but it started getting to the point where there was nothing left we could do. On the Monday, we reluctantly set off back to Wellington. Then I got a text from Shaun Draper. He was a farmer I had messaged about Twiggy. His text said 'there was a small black and tan dog with a red harness on the road at my place. I can't catch it.' I called him back immediately and said that is Twiggy. He said she was on the road and was very frightened and very skinny. My heart was absolutely pounding."

An hour later the family were reunited with their wandering puppy amid tears and utter relief. Twiggy had lost a third of her body weight but was checked by a vet and found to be otherwise healthy, Mrs Reid said.

"The relief was immense. She was out there for three weeks, went through flash flooding where the rivers had been at their highest, hurricane force winds and freezing nights. The weather threw everything at her," she said.

Mrs Reid said she was deeply thankful to Mr Draper and everybody else who shared their time, effort and support in the search for Twiggy.

"I made hundreds of calls to just about everyone I can think of and more, and was about to contact all the schools in Martinborough, Gladstone and Featherston as a good way of getting notice out into the various communities. They were all worth it, for just one of them to come back to me. The message is just to never give up."