Entertainer Adele King, aka Twink, has made an emotional appeal for the return of her dog after he was taken from her home last Thursday.
"There's one lead he's been stolen and given to a family in a certain area, I'm hoping that's the case," she told The Irish Times. "My worry is that kids might harm him. I've said repeatedly it's a no questions asked situation, we just want Teddy back safely."
She confirmed that she was offering a reward for the safe return of the dog but did not say how much.
Teddy Bear, a 5-year-old miniature Yorkshire Terrier, was lifted from Ms King’s yard in Knocklyon, Dublin last Thursday afternoon, according to witnesses in the area. Teddy first came to the family five years ago when Ms King purchased him in Co Meath. Soon after he arrived at the King household in 2009, he was stolen.
"We're living in a hateful world," said Ms King. "There is an atrocious situation in Ireland with animal welfare. I thought I knew all about animal rights but in the last four days I have learned more about the state of concern for animal welfare in Ireland than I've learned in 40 years."
“I’m aware of dog bating and puppy farms. Ireland has lost the plot, it’s turning into a form of criminal violence.”
Having grown up in a household filled with animals, Ms King says animals and children are loved equally in her home.
“It was never a competition between my children and the animals, they were all loved and cared for. They never made a distinction, they just grew up surrounded by love.”
Ms King explained that Teddy is a “very famous dog” who has appeared on the Late Late Show, in VIP Magazine and starred in last year’s Christmas pantomime, Aladdin, at the University Concert Hall in Limerick.
“His costume for this year’s panto Jack and the Beanstalk is already being made. He’s been to children’s hospitals and brought such joy to the children.”
She adds her “tiny ball of kinetic energy” has done wonderful work. “He’s a very clever, special little fellow.”
Ms King says hundreds of friends and strangers around the country have reached out through social media since the news of Teddy’s disappearance went public.
“I’m overwhelmed with the response,” she said. “Hundreds and thousands of people have reached out. It’s not just Teddy it represents, it’s representing a lot of decent people and the state of anger they’re in at thieving and robbery in Ireland.”
Ms King made a personal appeal over the weekend to her old-friend and former colleague Linda Martin, who she says is a "tireless worker for animals" with "powerful contacts in the animal refuge sanctuary business." Ms Martin has since contacted Ms King, offering to help track down little Teddy.
“It was the most loving, caring, beautiful message from her and I was deeply touched by it,” said Ms King. “If that little man were to reunite a friendship we had from teenage years, there’s another great thing he’s done, involuntarily.”
Ms King says Teddy's disappearance has only added to the recent grief in the family following the death of the "leader" of their canine pack; Bertie Ahern. Bertie was named after the former taoiseach after he was hit by a car as puppy underneath Mr Ahern's election campaign poster.
She says her remaining five dogs are very distressed by all the changes in the house.
“With Bertie gone they’ve been terribly confused, but with Teddy gone they’re walking around bewildered.
“I beg anybody who has seen someone who has suddenly got a yorkie just to be observant. Not only for Teddy but for any dog that suddenly turns up that wasn’t there before.”
