FOR Sally Bickford, her dog Freddie was much more than a pet – he meant everything to her.

And the 35-year-old, of Akers Way, Moredon, who is severely disabled, has been crying and calling for him ever since he vanished Wednesday.

Freddie, a four-year-old silver Yorkshire terrier, disappeared at about 4.30pm from outside the Co-operative store in Cheney Manor Road, Rodbourne Cheney.

“He’s her little friend, he’s all the world to her,” said Sally’s mother Chris, 61.

“To see your child so upset and not be able to do something – I just want him back for her.

“She’s calling him – she’s devastated.”

Sally was born with athetoid cerebral palsy in four limbs, which means she cannot speak, move her legs or arms or sit up without help and remains in a chair.

But she is able to grip with her left hand, which enables her to hold Freddie’s lead when they go out.

Freddie, who has been with Sally for three years, accompanies her whenever she goes out and sleeps in her room at night.

Mrs Bickford said after her daughter was told Freddie had gone, she cried all night and has not slept since.

The family has lots of other pets, including a cat, two budgies, a tortoise, three gerbils and a hamster, because they provide Sally with stimulation.

But Mrs Bickford said Freddie is the only one that belongs solely to Sally.

She believes Freddie, whose lead was tied up outside the store, would not have left of his own accord and fears he may have been taken.

She appealed to the person who has the dog to bring him back and not hurt him.

“It doesn’t matter what they’re aware of or who the dog belongs to – why would they put anyone through that?” said Mrs Bickford.

“Just because he was tied up outside doesn’t mean to say we didn’t love him.

“The hardest thing is that no matter what I say to Sally, all the explanations in the world don’t answer why someone took him and whether he is ever coming home.

“I hope this story might make somebody realise what they have done – they have broken a disabled person’s heart.”

Freddie is described as silver in colour and less than a foot tall.

He has a grey collar with red hearts on it and a black tag with his name on one side and the family’s phone number on the other.

He has an emerald green lead and will answer to his name.

A Wiltshire police spokesman said he had no record of the incident.

Anyone who has information should call Chris on 01793 331055 or 07867 968394.