Search operation for dog missing in Cooley mountains take place tomorrow

David Keane had taken his canine companion Sophie with him hiking on the Tain Way-Slieve Foy Trek last Sunday when she went missing around 12pm.

The young hiker has planned a major search operation of the Cooley mountains tomorrow,  Sunday in a desperate bid to find the springer spaniel.

David, who is a sub contractor for a delivery company, befriended Sophie when making deliveries to her owner Jackie and is desperate to return her home.

“Jackie is not in a position to walk Sophie, and until I met Sophie she had not been walked in over two years, which just broke my heart", David said.

“So, I've been taking Sophie out with me on my hikes and while I'm out doing deliveries during the week.

“Sophie is my apprentice in the van.

“At first when Jackie met me, I was just a random courier offering to walk her dog but Jackie quickly took a shine to me and trusted me to take Sophie out and look after her.

“It wasn't long before Sophie and I became joined at the hip and I would tell people that she was working security in the van with me.

“Sophie has been more than just a dog to me, she has been great company, she's been a counsellor with a collar on her and has provided  me with so much positivity over the last couple of months and this is why I am making it my mission to find Sophie.”

David said he is determined to find Sophie and return her home to Jackie.

“She doesn't belong to me but I am responsible for bringing her home”, David said.

“My objective is make Sophie the most recognized dog in this country.

“I want everyone to know Sophie's name and what she looks like and that there is a family waiting for her to come home.”

David said he has been taking Sophie hiking with him every Sunday for the last six or seven months and is surprised she wandered off as she is “not the type of dog to run away and explore”.

“This has been such a surprise to us all because up until now, Sophie's recall has been absolutely amazing and I've been extremely confident when I've been out hiking with her. 

“She has always just stayed close to me and not ventured more than a meter away”, he said.

He continued saying he wants to do everything in his power to find Sophie or find out what has happened to her and is organising a search for Sophie this Sunday.

“My  plan is for this Sunday, the 5th of February, to organize a huge search of the Cooley Mountain range and the surrounding area.

“I need every farmer in the area to recognize Sophie's face and to know that she is not a danger to their sheep. 

“Sophie doesn't have a bad bone in her body, she is the most gentle docile Springer Spaniel I've ever met.”

David concluded: “We are not going to stop until we find Sophie, so please, if you have any information that might help us or if you know any farmers in the area, please spread the word that we need Sophie back."

Anyone who has seen Sophie or knows anything about her whereabouts is asked to contact David on 083 848 5473.