Missing elderly dog reunited with family

[Ben Swan]

Snickers, the Maltese mix believed taken during a burglary of a Santa Fe home on Friday, has been reunited with his family.

The elderly dog with heart troubles appears to be in good health, said Erin Rideout. She plans to take him to a veterinarian today.

Rideout said she received a call around 11 p.m. Saturday that a dog who fit Snickers’ description was running around the parking lot of Regal Cinemas on Cerrillos Road. The people initially had trouble catching the
5-pound pup, but eventually put him in a carrier.

"He was kind of nippy," she said.

Rideout arrived about 20 minutes later and confirmed it was the family dog. Aside from a few thorns, the dog appears to have had no ill effects from its apparent dog napping.

“I’m so happy,” Rideout said. “He’s really kind of rambunctious.”

The dog was taken from the Gonzales Road home during the burglary, along with laptops, jewelry, CDs, and a television set. The 14-year-old dog requires daily medication to treat his heart condition and likely would have died within a few days, according to his veterinarian.

Rideout, who spent Saturday posting fliers throughout town, said the woman who called had seen the posters. The family is relieved the dog is safe at home, she said.

[Erin Rideout]

It is a miracle, he's perfect-I'm so blessed to have him back.

[caril]

Thanks for posting Erin! And I'm really glad to hear the little guy is doing great... it is a miracle!

[Erin Rideout]

I'm Erin, Snickers owner, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for their help, support, and prayers. Snickers is now safely home with me and is doing great!

[om]

Great news - what a relief!

[Lily Azures]

I would like to think that somebody in their group said you know this dog is old..and loved...you were stupid for taking it so let it go. I would like to think that somebody in that group had a heart...

[caril]

Oh... I am SO relieved and happy this boy was found... I was planning to post fliers around today as well if he hadn't been found.

Such good news.... I kept visualizing yesterday... I didn't know how it would/could happened... but am so glad for this miraculous recovery.

[Julie L]

This is amazing! Maybe someone in the "ring" came to his senses and did the right thing, or Snickers escaped on his own. Thank goodness another happy ending. And for Roxy too. Hard times at the shelter this weekend, but these happy stories help keep us going.

[Claudia Inoue]

Yup, the media attention, once again spearheaded by our beloved Ben, was AWESOME!!!
I have the enormous pleasure to be meeting with both Ben AND Lily in about an hour to drive out to Kindred Spirits to visit Ulla and her new resident, 15 year old Roxy, saved from the needle of death earlier this week! Stay tuned for an update on THAT as well! What a week this has been!!! Luckily, both stories of elderly dogs in jeopardy ended HAPPILY!!!!!

[CindyR]

Lily makes an excellent point in that all the media around this could have saved Snicker's life by letting THE BASTARDS know that the dog has little monetary value.

[Claudia Inoue]

BASTARDS!!! There, I said it, Sloan :)

And yes, many times, when I work hard for spay and neuter, I think HUMANS should be included in that.... (I am biting my tongue here not to say more)

I am so happy for this happy reunion!