The Theft of Buddy

Before you begin thinking unkind thoughts, let me tell you nobody feels as bad about this event as the woman who left her dog in the car and it became a target for a thief.

Lougay Toles is very upset -- keeps saying things like "I know better." So, now that we've dispensed with that, let's try to help her.

She left her 8-pound Yorkie, Buddy, in her car -- with the windows "cracked" -- about 7:15 p.m. Sunday when she raced into a grocery store at Northwest Highway and Plano Road in East Dallas. She went in to buy dog food.

Buddy, still wearing his leash attached to his collar after his "walk" with her, was in his usual comfy place in the car. And, yes, he had his tags on.

When Lougay came out a mere handful of minutes later, she "beeped" her car door, opened it and there was no Buddy. Someone had apparently reached through the "cracked window," pushed it down and stolen Buddy.

She's contacted Find-a-Pet (www.find-a-pet.org, 214-827-4357), posted notices in the area of the theft, etc. She called her son, Holland, up from Austin -- he'd rescued the stray 8 months ago from a dirt road in a rural area. Mom fell for the dog big time and kept Buddy. Mom and Son went through apartment complexes and neighborhoods looking for Buddy. They talked to people, they posted notices. They really worked the area.

This sort of auto burglary happens frequently around here -- there are evil people who stand around parking lots and watch for people who are too trusting. That's probably what happened to Buddy. An opportunistic thief grabbed him and will try to sell him.

Maybe someone will see this dog -- perhaps you know someone who suddenly had a new mature Yorkie and no good explanation for how he or she got it.

Maybe you've seen a Yorkie wandering near that grocery store. Maybe you've just got a hunch that you know where the dog is. Whatever the case, call 214-348-0722 and help Buddy get home.

Lougay has been told about all the various shelters and rescue groups and ways to monitor the comings and goings of shelter dogs. She's also been warned about scam artists who play on the hearts of victims.

She filed a police report. She talked the Dallas police into taking fingerprints off her car windows. Maybe someday soon a thief will be shocked.

Meanwhile, Buddy is missed. And Lougay is beating herself up. "I'm in shock. I'm torn to pieces ... He means more to me than I realized," heartsick Lougay says. "I feel so guilty."