Newcastle homeless man reunited with beloved dog

A long and emotional search ended in a rapidly wagging tail and happy smiles when a homeless man and his furry companion were reunited yesterday.

The Newcastle SPCA yesterday put out a plea to the community to help find a local homeless man, known as Richmond, whose beloved dog, Bobby, was found hiding at a business premises in the area.

The SPCA’s Heather Gero says residents and motorists would probably have seen Richmond daily, as he walks around town, pushing his trolley, with Bobby always at his side.

Gero says the SPCA received a call for help yesterday morning after Bobby was found sleeping on a business property. However, Richmond was nowhere to be seen.

Concerned for both Bobby and Richmond’s safety and well-being, Gero took Bobby to the SPCA’s boarding kennels to keep him safe, while putting out a public plea to assist in locating Richmond who, according to fellow vagrants, had not seen him ‘in his usual spots’ for around a week.

“We searched his normal spots but no one had seen him all weekend.”

Gero even travelled to his family home in Kwamathakuza to see if he was there.

Finally, all their hard work and dedication paid off.

“It was such a relief to find Richmond pushing his trolley. He was returning to town to continue his search for Bobby. He was so relieved to hear that Bobby was safe and in our care.

“I wish I had taken a video of Bobby when he saw his owner. He was super excited and almost pushed poor Richmond into the flowerbeds. The love these two have for each other is so special to witness; through thick and thin, they are always there for each other,” says Gero.

“To think that there are animal owners out there who have more than enough of everything and a lovely home, but their poor animals are in a worse condition and situation than Bobby.

“I take my hat off to Richmond for the way he cares for his dog, even though life has been so difficult for him and he lives on the streets most of the time. Let him be a good example to everyone out there,” she adds.