A FAMILY has admitted they cannot describe how grateful they are for the support they have received after being reunited with their dog.

As reported, Cookie the Cockapoo was reportedly stolen from a van in West Parley on Friday morning while its owner Alan Butler was doing gardening work on a property nearby.

Following an appeal online, which included support from AFC Bournemouth legend Marc Pugh and Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle, in the local area and from Dorset Police, the Ferndown family welcomed the dog back into their home on Monday night.

Two men have been arrested by police on suspicion of theft.

An emotional Alan told the Daily Echo: “I cannot begin to tell you how grateful we are to everybody that has done anything.

“It could be just one person that text another person.

“There have been some people who have got 350,000 people to share it.

“You have got Marc Pugh, who played for AFC Bournemouth, my own customers shared it around the world, Nadine from Girls Aloud shared it with all her people.

“There are so many nice people out there.”

Bournemouth Echo:

While speaking to the Daily Echo, Alan was visited by a resident who dropped off a new toy for Cookie.

He added: “You do fear the worst. It was the not knowing that was the hardest part of it.

“I have got five grandchildren, two daughters, everyone hasn’t stopped on social media, leafleting and putting posters up.

“I drove 287 miles on Sunday just putting posters out with my grandson. Everybody has just done all they can. We are absolutely amazed.

“Police have done an amazing job supporting us. Until you need them you don’t actually realise what they do. Everyone knocks them but what they do has blown me away.”

Dorset Police said it was reported that the young adult beige Cockapoo was seen on CCTV at around 11.50am on September 18 getting out of the van and walking toward someone who was hidden from view.

A force spokesperson said as a result of police enquiries, a 32-year-old man from Poole and a 36-year-old man from Wimborne have been arrested on suspicion of theft and are assisting officers with their enquiries.