This is a story that ended well, but you know that is seldom the way it is.
Once-kidnapped pup a parade star
She felt as if her heart had been ripped apart that night 18 months ago.
Jane Elizabeth Howard of St. Augustine Beach left her dog for less than half an hour in her Jeep parked outside the Gypsy Comedy Club. During that time, someone nabbed her baby, a 5-pound teacup Yorkshire Terrier.
Amazingly, six months and 22 days after Lizzi was stolen, a stranger found the little dog and returned her home.
"Keep the faith," Howard said as she grinned endlessly. "Wonderful things do happen."
Saturday morning, Howard strutted through the streets in a red velvet dress, white gloves and a Santa Claus hat. A ring of pearls decorated her neck and her black shoes sparkled as she marched in the St. Augustine Christmas Parade.
Lizzi, now 5, and Buster Brown, 10, her Australian terrier, have been in two Easter parades, but this was their first Christmas parade.
The two bounced proudly in their matching Santa hats and tiny shirts. They each had bubble baths the night before so they would look their best.
Lizzi was a gift from Howard's husband, Thomas Howard. He passed away in 2002, about two years after giving Howard her favorite present.
The night the dog disappeared, Howard vowed not to stop searching until her baby was home.
She had posters made and scoured St. Johns County. She even offered a reward for the dog's return.
Then, one night she got a call from a man named Joseph. He said he found Lizzi and she still had her dog tags on her.
Howard was shocked. It seemed unreal, she said.
The next day a friend went to meet the man at Krystal restaurant. Howard didn't go because she thought it would not be a good idea to drive in her excited state.
When the friend arrived with the dog, she knew right away it was her baby because the dog has one ear that sticks up. Lizzi stunk, was covered in fleas and had clearly been through an ordeal, but Howard could not have been happier to see her, she said.
Howard took the Yorkie to her veterinarian, and for the next six months she nursed Lizzi back to health.
"It was like Jesus brought her back," Howard said as she choked back tears. "She's a survivor."
Howard does not know how the man found her dog or who he was, but she will forever be grateful.
Lizzi, who has been home about a year, loves everyone she meets. And Lizzi follows her everywhere, always keeping an eye out.
Jackie Knight, owner of the Comedy Club, helped Howard search the night of Lizzi's disappearance.
"She never gave up, not one minute," Knight said. "It was a miracle that she found the dog."
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/1..._3495371.shtml
In the photo: JANE HOWARD carries Buster Brown and walks Lizzi down the parade route Saturday.