Swindon family still hopeful loved dog will be found after 19 months

Stan was one of a pair of rescued Chihuahua-crosses, alongside Snoop and both had been rehomed to become support dogs for Harry Albans, 22, after his epilepsy diagnosis in 2019.

Stan would alert Harry and his family of an oncoming seizure, and the pair developed a close bond.

While Harry was away at university they were out on a walk with the student's mum Rachael Albans, 55, at the old pitch and putt in Cheney Manor Road on February 14, 2022 when a larger boxer dog ran over and attacked them, causing Stan to slip his lead and run off in the commotion. 

Despite a desperate search involving many in the community, missing pet charities with specialist equipment like drones, and many potential sightings, he has still not been found. 

Now Rachael has described the significant impact the loss of the beloved pet has had on her son but has also indicated that they are all still holding out hope that Stan will one day make his way home 

"We are still devastated about Stan," she said. "It's been 19 months now and we are no further on.

"The impact is just awful. My son has suffered terribly with increased seizures and is now having brain surgery to try and stop them soon.

"We hope and pray that we will get closure one day or if Stan was stolen he will be returned, we will never give up," she added. 

Rach Albans with Stan and Snoop (Image: Rach Albans)Speaking to the Adver previously, Rachael described what happened on the day of Stan's disappearance.

"The dog was biting Stan so I picked him up," she said. "And then it started biting Snoop, so I went to pick him up too and I looked down and Stan had gone. I don't know how, but he had slipped his harness and had gone."

An immediate search of the area then began with other dog walkers joining in to help find Stan, and very quickly it became a big community effort with posts all over social media.

But after a few potential sightings in the area, Rachael was no closer to finding Stan a few days later and she also had to juggle looking for him and caring for Snoop, who had received 'nasty' bite injuries to his back. 

Stan is microchipped and was last seen in the Cheney Manor area.

If you have seen Stan, or think you know where he is, please call Rachael on 07518 701630.