Charlie the toy poodle is safe at Mesa home

A Valley couple is breathing a sigh of relief this week after finding their lost dog Charlie, who has been missing from the Ahwatukee Foothills area of 48th Street and Elliot Road since Saturday, June 21.

The couple, Harry and Many Gurney, live in Mesa but Harry’s sister, Alice Splaine, was caring for the dog at her Ahwatukee Foothill’s home while the couple was away on vacation when Charlie got loose and ran away.

After weeks of searching, the Gurneys received an anonymous phone call Tuesday night that Charlie was being cared for at a local apartment complex near 48th Street and Ray Road.

The Gurneys said residents at the Sonoran Apartments hadn’t realized that they had been desperately looking for their 6-year-old toy poodle for weeks.

“We think it took Charlie a day-and-a-half to get there because they found him walking in the parking lot that Monday (June 23) and he was very dehydrated,” Harry said, adding that the woman who contacted him on Tuesday wished to remain anonymous and did not accept their reward.

The Gurneys called the manager of the apartments and arranged to come over to get Charlie from the woman taking care of him. That woman also wished to remain anonymous, saying that she had posted Charlie’s information at the Ahwatukee Foothills Petco to no avail.

“I just screamed when I saw him and my husband dropped to his knees crying when they brought Charlie in to us,” Many said.

“We knew right away it was him,” Harry added. “I thought I’d never see him again. I’ll never let him get out of my sight again.”

The entire family was relieved to hear the good news.

“I’m glad the dog is back where he belongs,” Splaine said. “I just want to thank the community for all their support.”