Screams of joy and tears of happiness set the scene when a beloved canine that had gone missing for more than three weeks was reunited with her loving family in Rankine Street, Strand last week.
This, after dozens of posters were put up and social media posts calling for the community’s assistance in finding her, since early in June.
“She went missing late on the night of Friday 10 June,” said Charmaine du Plessis of her nine-year-old daughter, Nikki’s beloved pet. “The gate latch was left unlocked and the wind blew it open, prompting Bella out into the street. Neighbours had seen her being chased and this is how she got lost. Bella is a pitbull cross and was given as a gift to the family.
“We were heartbroken and started searching for her everywhere. We put up posters as far as Sir Lowry’s Pass Village and Nomzamo and posted on social media almost daily. Many people started calling us, but most were scams, asking us for airtime and reward money before they shared information.”
The family had also approached at least three animal communicators, which dimmed their hopes after relaying that Bella had been hit by a car and wasn’t alive.
“Our hopes were fading and my daughter was feeling very down. We were all emotionally drained. Bella has been with us since eight weeks old, and she turned three on Wednesday 22 June, so she missed her birthday with us.”
On Thursday 30 June, Du Plessis received a call from a policewoman in Lwandle.
“She told me there was a man who had Bella with him in the township,” she said. “We were sceptical at first and made contact with the man. We asked for a photo, but he sent us a video and without a doubt it was our Bella.”
With a friend Du Plessis rushed to Lwandle for an overwhelming emotional reunion.
“I just couldn’t believe it, I was so overjoyed,” she said. “Between my friend and I we gave the man a R300 reward. He initially refused to take the money, but we insisted. He is really such a good-hearted soul.”
The man, identified only as Tsidiso, received heartfelt words of gratitude from the family.
“Bella was perfectly fine although a bit thin, which is perfectly understandable.”
“She jumped straight into my lap and we took her home. When my daughter saw her she was screaming, went down on her knees and started crying. Oh, it was such a heartfelt moment.”
“It feels as if this was one gigantic dream,” said Nikki. “I’m just so happy she’s back home.”
Bella was immediately treated to a bath, and Helderberg Animal Rescue Team (Hart) has offered to do a full check-up, sterilisation and microchipping free of charge.
“We would just like to thank the entire community who helped in the search for Bella and offered us much needed words of comfort, and especially to Tsidiso for proving that good people are still among us”.
