Hound found!

Astrix, the beautiful border collie who went missing last week, has been found! Owners Natasha Geenty and Michael Webber were at a party last Saturday on Gordonton Rd, near Boyd Rd, when the collie, always a nervous chap, took fright and ran off.

The pair, from Whatawhata, were frantic, they searched the area and put posters up everywhere.

Number 8 Network had just posted a picture of the missing pup on the N8N Facebook page, and observed how distraught the two must be worrying about their dog.

This morning, on the way to Hamilton, N8N’s Annette Taylor and David Riddell noticed a car stopped on the side of the road, just north of Clandon Daffodils. Slowing down, Annette saw Astrix huddled under a hedge.

The doggy finders, who lived in the house nearby, had spotted our canine galloping across Gordonton Rd. Late for an appointment, they took off and Annette hunkered down with Astrix, taking a firm grip of his collar.

He was obviously terrified and exhausted, and refused to come out of his hedgerow, but otherwise didn’t seem too worse for wear – a few bidibids on his coat and some mud. The wonders of technology – Annette logged on to Number 8 Network on her phone, found his owners’ number and rang.

Natasha, who was working in Frankton, answered and, sounding thoroughly delighted, said she was on her way. We gave the young dog some salami off our sandwich (which he wolfed down) and waited. Every time a truck rumbled past Astrix trembled – it must have been a long and lonely week.  But when a white car slowed down he clearly recognised the sound of its engine; his ears perked up and he sat up, looking intently about.

When Natasha appeared, all grins, our little dog was beside himself; tag wagging, tongue lolling and jumping. An utterly happy, wonderful reunion.  She reported back later, saying he was happy as any collie could be, and back to his usual tricks of sneaking food from the cat’s bowl.  She and Michael are very relieved to have him back, and thanked everyone who kept an eye out for their lovely lad.

Bet he was a pampered pooch that night!

Here he is at home this afternoon – who’s a beautiful boy?

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