A family on holiday in Belfast from Scotland are desperate for news of their young pup who is lost after bolting while being walked on Cave Hill.
Mel Johnston from Aberdeen, says she and her husband, Aidan, and their three daughters, Nadie, 11, Allie, eight, and seven-year-old Robyn, have been frantic trying to locate their dog Coco.
The brown spaniel, a mix of a Cocker and a Springer is just 11 months old and has never been apart from the family but vanished on Tuesday, December 20 at 4pm while being walked.
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Mel said: "Coco was enjoying a walk up Cave Hill with a family member when she was spooked by a big dog approaching and she bolted. There was just no sign of her on Tuesday and she spent the night alone without us.
"Now we're facing night number two without her and we are desperate to find her. She has never been alone and she must be so frighened and we're very worried about her and you can imagine, there have been many tears.
"Coco is just 11 months old, she's our first dog and a precious member of our family. Please, if you see her, or if you know that someone has taken her in, let us know. My telephone number is at the end of this article.
"We are all so upset. We're due to get the boat back home on Friday to Scotland so the girls will be home for Santa and to spend Christmas together but without Coco I don't know how we can. How can we leave if she is lost here?
"I was told that some workmen may have seen a pup straying on Sommerton Road today and they had put a rope on her to try to keep her safe. I'm trying to make contact with them.
"Coco was wearing a green collar and a green harness and she has a name tag on her collar with all my details on there, including my mobile number.. She is spayed so cannot be used for breeding and she is microchipped. If you can help us please call or contact the team at Dogslive or Belfast Live we are desperate."
If you have seen Coco or know where she might be, please contact Mel on 07412508613
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