'Brave little dog' missing from village near Petworth - 'We are absolutely desperate to get Dash back'

A family have appealed for help in finding their missing cocker spaniel, who hasn't been seen in ten days and will be in 'urgent need of medication'.
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Paula Graystone, ranger at Wimbledon and Putney Commons, said her five-year-old dog, Dash, disappeared on Tuesday, March 16 at around 6.45pm.

Dash was last seen about 50 meters from home close to the Northchapel Village Hall in Pipers Lane.

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"We are absolutely desperate to get Dash back, she is in urgent need of medication and it has now been ten days since she received any," Paula said.

On Boxing Day in 2019, Dash sustained life-changing injuries after being crushed under the back wheel of a tractor.On Boxing Day in 2019, Dash sustained life-changing injuries after being crushed under the back wheel of a tractor.
On Boxing Day in 2019, Dash sustained life-changing injuries after being crushed under the back wheel of a tractor.

"She could not have got lost, and would not have gone off freely on her own."

It is believed that, in a time frame of 'not more than five minutes', someone saw Dash 'and picked her up'.

On Boxing Day in 2019, Dash sustained life-changing injuries after being crushed under the back wheel of a tractor.

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Paula, who also owns Dash's mother, grandmother and daughter, said: "Her neck was broken in two places, she had a break in the sacrum, and middle vertebrae.

Dash was last seen about 50 meters from home close to the Northchapel Village Hall in Pipers Lane.Dash was last seen about 50 meters from home close to the Northchapel Village Hall in Pipers Lane.
Dash was last seen about 50 meters from home close to the Northchapel Village Hall in Pipers Lane.

"She spent six-weeks at Fitzpatrick’s (the super vet) where she underwent intense treatment carried out by the amazing team of veterinary staff at Fitzpatrick’s Godalming practice. The staff who tended to her 24-hours care all became very attached to her and often admitted to spending their breaks sitting with her.

"They told us that, although Dash wasn’t able to move, she would follow them round the treatment room with her eyes."

Paula described her beloved pet as a 'brave little dog', with a 'big heart'.

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She added: "By her own determination and with help she managed regain reasonable mobility but it was a painful and slow process taking six months before she could walk without the harness and straps to support her.

"We were advised right at start that she would never fully recover due to her spinal injuries. Her condition has to be carefully managed with essential daily medication and controlled exercise to help her live a normal life.

"We were advised recently that she requires an operation to secure the hip joint into her pelvis. She has already been through so much; we are trying to put this off as long as possible."

Due to her injuries, Dash can never be bred from, and she will 'quickly breakdown' if she is put under pressure with 'too much physical exercise'.

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"We owe this little dog so much," Paula said. "We bred her and before her accident she worked tirelessly for us.

"She was not insured and her medical care was partly paid for by donations from friends and colleagues, who know and love Dash.

"She is truly missed and we are pleading with anybody that might know of her whereabouts or may have seen her to please contact us confidentially. A reward is being offered.

"Please call: 07966 971519 or 07834 321143."

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