71682-3AN ELDERLY man who has lost his dog is hoping someone can help him find his canine companion.

Tony Price, 62, of Willows Avenue, Pinehurst, lost his 16-year-old border collie cross four weeks ago and has spent the past month looking for him.

When Bobby went missing, Mr Price spent an entire night looking for him.

A month has passed and Mr Price has not let up on his search but is now desperate to know the whereabouts of his best friend.

Bobby, who is mostly black with tan legs and a smooth coat, went missing when Mr Price took him for his usual walk around woodland near Kingsdown crematorium.

Mr Price believes his dog was frightened by the thunderstorms.

He let Bobby out of the car and then went to put on his coat and wet weather gear.

"The next thing I knew, he was gone," said Mr Price, a roofer.

"That was the last I saw of him. I searched all night long and stayed up there in my car until the next morning in the hope that Bobby would come wandering back to me, but there's been no sign of him.

"I live alone and I really miss him.

"He usually greets me every night when I get in from work and he's like my best friend.

"I just want to know where he is. I can't help thinking the worst. Even if it is bad news, I would just like to know so that I can bury him."

Mr Price enlisted the help of family and friends to widen the search and has even asked local farmers if they have seen a stray dog, but the hunt has so far proved fruitless.

"I just can't understand how come no-one has seen him," said Mr Price.

"I suppose he may have got injured or fallen down a hole.

"He was used to the area in which I last saw him, as I used to take him up there every day, so it's not like he doesn't know his way around.

"At the age of 16, he is getting on a bit and his eyesight obviously isn't what it used to be.

"I always used to make a terrible fuss of him so this is a very sad time for me. He's a friend as well as a dog. If anyone has any idea where Bobby might be please get in touch with me."

Have you seen Bobby?

Anyone with any information is asked to call 07759 318847

Emma-Kate Lidbury