Doggone! Missing pooch is back on the porch

– Jade Lawton
STAR the Staffie has been returned to his home in Garfield after the Gazette received a number of tip-offs to his whereabouts.
The five-year-old Staffie is part of the Watson family and also moonlights as mascot of the Garfield Stars football team.
Leah Watson contacted the Gazette last week in an effort to find the missing pooch, which was her son’s 12th birthday present.
He was returned safe and sound on Friday.
“He is safely at home in the kitchen. We are over the moon, just ecstatic,” Ms Watson said.
Ms Watson believes Star popped through the doggy door for a wander on Friday 30 April.
“He barks every night for some reason, and I could hear his bark that night but it was a bit more distant,” she said.
“Maybe he chased a rabbit and went a bit further than usual, I’m not sure.”
Sometime that night, a man stopped near the railway bridge – and apparently Star jumped in his car. Only Star knows what happened in his two-week absence.
After our article ,there was some dispute as to who had him, with Ms Watson receiving a call from a Cockatoo man and the Gazette receiving a call from a Lakes Entrance family who said they had the dog.
But he was returned to his relieved family on Friday morning.
“He is in good health and he looks very well,” Ms Watson said.
“We are very happy – but the doggy door will be locked tonight.”