A BELOVED miniature schnauzer who mysteriously vanished in Coate Water has been found safe and well at the side of the motorway.

Four-year-old pooch Lotte was on a regular walk in the country park with her owners Kerry Hanks and David Mobey on the afternoon of March 29 when they lost sight of her as they turned round a bend.

The couple were left gravely concerned for the pup’s fate and had plastered Coate Water with posters in a bid to track down Lotte.

After nearly a week on the run two Good Samaritans gave the couple the welcome news that Lotte had been found alive and well near junction 15.

The salt and pepper coloured pooch who has distinctive tinges of brown in her beard was spotted by an eagle-eyed driver on their way to Chiseldon.

David said he was overwhelmed at being reunited with his adored pet.

He said:“I got a call from a lady who saw a dog that looked like Lotte on the side of the motorway near junction 15 and two ladies were with Lotte trying to catch her

“Then another woman called saying it was definitely her and I made my way there. I got to the first house there and Lotte ran out of the garden.

“I called her name and as soon as she saw me she started yapping away, she ran straight to me and was jumping all over me and was so excited. I couldn’t quite believe that it was her.

“I had all her favourite snacks with me including meat sticks and she ate them right up.

“The family were just overjoyed to see her and my nieces and nephews. I just don’t have enough words to describe the feeling of seeing her safe and well.”

The perfect pooch has been with the couple, who live in Moulden View, for 18 months and has a canine sister Florence who was overjoyed to have her back home.

David said Lotte is none the worse for wear for her ordeal.

“I wasn’t sure if I would see her again so to have her back being herself is amazing. She’s the same as she always was but you can tell she’s very relieved to be back home with her family.

“If it wasn’t for the article in the Adver and the support of the public I wouldn’t have been able to get to Lotte as quickly as I did so thank you so much to everyone who helped us and Lotte.”

But the mystery of Lotte’s missing days continues as David has no idea if she was taken or simply wandered off.

Either way the couple’s days walking the dogs in Coate Water are over.

David said: “It is a complete mystery as to what happened but I can’t risk something like this happening again. I’m just so glad she’s back.”