A YOUNG dog which was found all alone outside a dog groomer’s premises in Looe, and which inspired so much concern among Cornish Times Facebook and website readers that the story received more than 345,000 hits and 24,000 engagements, has now had a happy ending in that he has been found a new forever home.

The Cornish Times was first approached to make an appeal to find the dog’s owner on August 20 by Janet Berrow of Calweton Vets in Looe.

Janet explained that the young dog had been found outside Classy Canines holistic dog groomers on Buller Quay, West Looe, a few days before and added: “He’s been at Calweton Vets and is now with the dog warden. He’s a lovely boy and I’m worried the owner is not on social media as it’s all over Looe pages.

“Maybe the Cornish Times could widen the audience - the owner must be beside themselves. I don’t think that he’s been microchipped.”

The Cornish Times team duly obliged and continuing interest in the welfare of the dog, puzzlement over why the owners had not come forward, particularly given its distinctive markings, and what might happened to them led us to seek an update from Janet a few days ago.

Janet responded that the owner had still not come forward and that she understood the dog warden had now put the dog in the care of a foster owner. She added: “However, a lady came on there to say that she had the same pup with same markings and was going to contact the breeder to see if she could find out more.

“Apparently Edwina Hannaford local councillor saw the dog with its owner on Hannafore beach and he got free with his lead attached but didn’t see if owner an elderly gentleman got him back.

“Speculators are thinking maybe the owner was on holiday and may have returned home and not be on social media or worse case he may have been taken ill and is in hospital, but personally I think that the former idea is more possible... Folk have put notices in the caravan parks but the chances are if a holidaymaker they would have gone home by now. It’s heartbreaking and he is such a lovely pup.”

We approached Cllr Hannaford over her possible earlier sighting of the dog and she told us: “It’s a sad story. The night before he was found wandering, I actually saw this dog (it caught my eye because of its distinctive colouring) with its owner, an older gentleman. He was sat in the seafront shelter in East Looe with the dog on a long lead and two other teens were playing with the dog who was lively and excited.

“My understanding is the dog has now been re-homed through the Cornwall Council dog warden scheme.

“I am at a loss to why someone could abandon such a beautiful, friendly dog, if that’s what has happened, when there was so much publicity and concern. However, I’m really pleased he has now found a loving, forever home.”

When we contacted Martin Wickett, the Cornwall Council dog warden with responsibility for the Looe area, he too was at a loss to understand why the owner had not come forward given what a gorgeous dog it was and how much publicity there had been. However, he added that it was a very young animal – only around four months old – and so would be a very lively and unsuitable pet for an elderly owner.

Mr Wickett added that given that the dog had been found wearing his lead and harness, and given the reluctance of the owner to come forward despite so much publicity and social media interest, he strongly suspected that the dog had been abandoned.

He also confirmed that a new, loving and forever home had been found for the dog with someone who worked with the vets, so that at least is a happy ending and reassurance for readers as regards the dog’s life in the future.