UPDATE: Jonathan reunites with his two dogs after a week long separation

MELVILLE – A heartwarming story of a man reunited with his dogs on Valentine's Day

February 17, 2017

Neo Phashe 2 minutes read

Jonathan Plaatjies received the best Valentine's Day gift when he got his dogs back. Brownie is equally delighted.

MELVILLE – Jonathan Plaatjies finally got to take back his beloved dogs, Blackie and Brownie after a week-long search for them.
The three were finally reunited on 14 February at the Randburg SPCA. The two loveable friends stayed at the SPCA for an extra day to get dewormed, vaccinated and sterilised. He finally got to take them with him on 16 February.
Known by the community as the man without a home who walks around Melville with his two dogs who have been a part of his life for the past five years, Plaatjies said he has spent his best moments with his two best friends.
He was dealt the devastating blow of his dogs being taken away from him by a woman claiming she wanted to feed them. As his dogs are mainly fed by helpful community members, he thought nothing of it and gave the dogs to two unknown women who promised to feed and give them water.

After hours of not seeing the women and his dogs, he knew something was wrong. He turned to the community to help him find his furry companions.

“I went to Ian Logan. He said he would make a plan and he posted an image of my dogs and me on Facebook after I received a picture from the Bergbron community.”

Community member Sandi Caganoff added, “He kept coming back to Melville to look for them at night, crying for his dogs.”

Jonathan Plaatjies can’t contain his joy as Brownie gives him a big, sloppy kiss.

Jonathan Plaatjies and Ian Logan at the Randburg SPCA, where the reunion took place.

Ian Logan, posted a missing dogs notice on Facebook, with the dogs’ dad, Jonathan Plaatjies and Randburg SPCA general manager, Craig Rudman.

Brownie, Jonathan Plaatjies and Blackie share a group hug.

It then emerged that an unknown woman, who said she had found Blackie and Brownie on the side of the road, had dropped the two dogs off at the Randburg SPCA. Because the Facebook post had gone viral, the SPCA recognised the dogs and contacted Logan.
Logan took Plaatjies to the SPCA where the dogs (and their dad) went ballistic in an emotional reunion. The overjoyed Plaatjies thanked the Melville community who helped him find his two amazing pets, which he calls his sons.
The Randburg SPCA performed all the procedures for free and also gave them an awesome care package; two buckets full of canned food, leashes, toys, a bed, water and food bowls and blankets.
Plaatjies spent about a week without Blackie and Brownie, so seeing his dogs was a true Valentine’s Day moment.
Details: If you would like to donate food or clothes, there is a collection point at Ratz on 7th Street in Melville.

Watch the touching video here.