Missing Tallaght dog returns home after more than nine years

By Mary Dennehy

IT WAS homeward bound for a Jack Russell called Jess who, missing for more than nine years, was unbelievably reunited with her Tallaght owners last week.

In 2007, adopted Jack Russell Jess disappeared from her Tallaght home at the age of two and, even though she was microchipped and the family was “confident” that she would be found, the loved and loyal family pet never came home.

Family member Fiona McCrea told The Echo how a year after Jess’s disappearance, the family’s hope was gone and they adopted another Jack Russell pup – calling her Jess in memory of their missing pooch.

However, last week the McCrea family received an unexpected call from the DSPCA to say that Jess was in the pound.

Fiona said: “More than nine years after Jess went missing my father receives a call from the DSPCA advising him that they had Jess in their pound.

“Of course, my father thought this was a prank call as our dog Jess was sitting beside him.

“When my father told my family the story about the strange phone call he received, my sister shouted ‘could it be Jess number one’?”

After ringing the DSPCA, the family discovered that, against all the odds, it was Jess number 1.

“Jess had finally given up the chase with the dog warden,” Fiona said.

“She was returned to us as a healthy ten-year-old dog, if a little dirty and tired from wandering the streets.”

When asked how Jess number 1 is settling back home, Fiona said: “She’s settling in amazing, even with Jess 2 here.

“She’s used to her surroundings already, loves the whole family and is mad for cuddles and her walks.

“She’s was such a friendly dog from day one and we’re delighted – her personality hasn’t changed…and our family is so happy to now have two dogs called Jess.”