Robert Sands’ 15-year-old golden Labrador Todd disappeared from Blantyre train station on December 7 after he was let out to use the toilet.
Robert and Todd have been an inseparable pair since Robert responded to an ad on Gumtree seeking to rehome a dog nine years ago, with the pooch regularly accompanying his owner to work as a newspaper delivery driver.
Devastated by Todd’s disappearance, Robert has been desperately searching for him for 12 days now – and the local community have banded together to help.
A Facebook page called ‘HELP US FIND TODD’ has been launched, and has reached a staggering 800 members, sharing tips and potential sightings.
Despite the massive community effort, Todd has still not been found – and Robert is desperate to have his best friend brought back home before Christmas.
He said: “When I first got him, we’d always go out in the van together, and now he comes to work with me all the time.
“We had gone to Blantyre train station because it’s one of our regular stops on our delivery route – and this was one of the locations where I’d let Todd out to use the toilet.
“On that particular Thursday, I got him out, did the delivery and changed his bedding – and then I turned back around, and he wasn’t there.
“I looked around and I couldn’t see him, and I went into a panic.
“In my opinion, he’s got a bit of separation anxiety, which is why this is out of character for him.
“Todd is such an old boy – he’s fifteen. He’s going blind – he has cataracts, and he’s going deaf as well.
“He’s got mobility issues and underlying medical issues as well.
“He could have gotten himself lost or stuck somewhere, or somebody’s picked him up.”
Robert sought help from the police, but 101 operators informed him that the police could not help with missing animals.
He then took to Facebook to appeal for information – and members of the local community quickly began searching for Todd.
Robert said he is deeply grateful for the well-wishes and support he has received – and hopes that someone can help to bring his best friend home.
“The outpouring from the local community has been phenomenal,” said Robert.
“Lanarkshire Trap and Scan has been amazing too – they’re not just volunteers, they’re dog lovers as well.
“If you have any information, please message the Facebook group – let me know of any sightings of dogs that look like Todd.
“Don’t approach the dog, just take a picture and send it in and we’ll have a look and see if it’s possible that it’s Todd.
“To the people that are searching for Todd, I can’t thank them enough. I’m hoping that we get what we all want, and that’s for him to come home soon.
“He’s loved, he’s worried about, and he’s missed. It’s like a big part of me is missing.
“To some people, a dog is a dog – but Todd isn’t just a dog to me, he’s my best friend.
“I didn’t rescue Todd, he rescued me – I was in a bad place, and I didn’t know what direction I was going to go with my life when I got him.
“All I ask is that if somebody has got Todd, please get in touch so we can bring him home.
“I just want my best friend back.”
