It is said dogs are a man's best friend. They provide companionship, love and joy. For Manchester resident Dale Hegwood, his dachshund puppy has given him another chance at life.
"I truly believe she helped save his life," Hegwood's wife Brenda said. "She is his best friend."
Hegwood said he and his wife purchased Lockie - a small reddish-brown dachshund puppy - two years ago to help with his recovery and numerous health issues related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"Lockie goes everywhere with him," Brenda Hegwood said. "She is part of our family and we both miss her greatly."
Hegwood said the dog went missing after it ran from the couple's vehicle following a minor car accident in front of the Clark gas station on Main Street Feb. 20.
"She was last seen running up the hill behind the gas station and we haven't seen her since," Hegwood said.
Because Lockie mainly remained indoors with the couple, Hegwood said he is worried the cold weather could have played a role in the dog's disappearance.
"I miss her," he said. "When I was in the hospital, Brenda would bring her in and she would cheer me right up. The nurses really loved her too.
"I just hope she is okay."
Brenda Hegwood said she has placed flyers around town hoping someone has seen the dog and will return it to its rightful owners.
"We are having a pet finder woman come and conduct an investigation to see if she can help us," Hegwood said. "We have family and friends looking out for her, so hopefully someone, someday will find her.
"We're never going to give up on her, since we don't have children, our pets are our kids."
Hegwood, a retired sergeant with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. Despite remaining in remission since 1997, he has suffered from numerous complications from a lung transplant.
"We've had many trips to the emergency room over the years," Hegwood said. "I can still get around, but I'm a little unstable on my feet."
Hegwood said over the years, he has been grateful for the outpouring of support from the Manchester community.
"They built a ramp onto my house with no cost two years ago," he said. "Our friends and neighbors are always helping us out. This is a real warm and friendly town."
On days when his strength allows him to work, Hegwood said he enjoys woodworking.
"It's something I always thought was fun," he said. "On days when I couldn't breath, I wouldn't do anything except sit out on the porch with my dog."
If anyone has seen the missing dachshund, contact Hegwood at 428-7118 or at 1-734-994-8100, ext. 1283. The dog was last seen wearing a Detroit Red Wings collar with a blue and gold University of Michigan bone-shaped tag with her name and phone number on it.
Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.
TOP JOBS
