A PROFOUNDLY deaf man has broken down in tears recalling the moment thieves stole his beloved dog from the front of his home.
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Clutching his dog Flash’s favourite chew toy, Jim Roelofs said the white and brown west highland terrier Jack Russell cross was more than a pet.
“For the last three or four years I’ve been completely deaf,” Mr Roelofs said.
“He’s my right hand.
“From a hearing point of view, for nine years he’s been telling me when the phone rings or when the doorbell rings.
“We communicate so closely.
“This guy’s just so close to us, he’s just such a loveable dog.”
His wife Mary said he had been depressed and “a mess” since Flash went missing in Wodonga on Monday.
Neighbours reported a maroon four-door hatchback stopping at the front of their Tudewind Road home about 2pm Monday, grabbing the dog and driving off.
The couple believe the dog may have been let out shortly after with a possible sighting in nearby streets.
Mr Roelofs has kept his toys and lead beside the door in the hope he will return, and he has been keeping lights on at night for him.
He has spent about 25 hours walking, running, riding and driving the streets, yelling out for his missing mate.
“It’s been devastating,” Mr Roelofs said.
“I can’t sleep at night.
“I’ve been taking off at 2am and 3am on walks to see if I can find some sort of trace of him,” he said.
While Mr Roelofs has had a cochlear implant for about a year, which has significantly improved his hearing, he said he had found it hard to communicate with people and instead found comfort in animals.
His daughter Trish Burns said she had never seen her father cry before Flash went missing.
Mrs Roelofs said her husband had been “wound up” and unable to sleep.
“People might say he’s just a lost dog, but to Jim he’s everything,” she said.
The couple are offering a reward for Flash’s return and urge anyone with information to phone them on (02) 6024 1121 or 0408 690 796.