Dog returned to 'speechless' Chicago panhandler

[datasuspect]

By Gerry Smith Tribune staff reporter
11:38 PM CDT, September 22, 2007

For two weeks, Tom Finley was in a daze, holding fliers with a photo of his friend and asking passersby in the Loop if they had seen a blond husky/terrier mix with a limp.

"It was hard to sleep," he said. "Hard to eat."

On Saturday, the well-known panhandler received a gift no amount of loose change could replace when he was reunited with Reba, who had been missing since Finley, 69, left the 12-year-old dog outside a McDonald's at South Franklin Street and West Jackson Boulevard on Sept. 7.

"I'm speechless," Finley said during a press conference at the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago, where Reba strained on the leash and barked at photographers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070922dog-return,0,602469.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

[PeaceNikki]

1. What a beautiful story to read with my morning coffee!!

The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago will offer the 30-pound canine a lifetime of free veterinary care, starting with an appointment on Tuesday, Walmsley said.

[datasuspect]

2. that guy keeps his dog in a little cart with him

i used to see him a lot at the bridge by Northwestern Station.

i think the dog has hip dysplasia and can't move around too well.