Heacham woman 'overwhelmed' by support to find missing dogs - but concerns continue for Tilly

A woman from Heacham has said she has been "overwhelmed" by the level of support she has received to help find her two dogs who went missing earlier this month.

While one of her two cocker spaniels, Tasha, has since been found, owner Jean Smith is still searching for Tilly.

Mrs Smith said she had been walking the two dogs by the river in Heacham on Friday, July 12, when they went in a different direction to her.

She said: "When we got to the end of the river they were running off-lead, as they do, and I wanted to go up to the bank and the dogs went the other way to the beach.

"When I got to the top of the sand dunes, I couldn't find them."

Over the next couple of days, a friend posted on social media asking people to look out for them, and around 50 people joined a search party to explore the area.

"The community has been wonderful," Mrs Smith said.

Drones were also used to look for the two cocker spaniels – who are puppy farm rescue dogs. Mrs Smith has owned them for just a matter of months.

But it was not until the 12th day the pair had been missing that Tasha was found by a gamekeeper in Wootton marshes.

Tasha, who was dehydrated and had matted fur, was taken straight to the vets who were "amazed" at how well she had coped.

"A week later – she's doing really well," Mrs Smith added. "They are lovely little girls."

The story of her two dogs has reached as far as Australia and Denmark, thanks to social media.

"It's really caught everyone's attention," Mrs Smith said.

"I was overwhelmed by the support I had and without it, my little Tasha would not be sitting with me now, but we need to keep it up as Tilly is still missing."

Mrs Smith said there had been an unconfirmed sighting of her in the Lynn area.

"Tilly has been out in the horrendously hot weather and the thunder storms, it's a terrific concern," she added.

If anyone can help, they are asked to call 07799580206 or 07754436919.

More information can be found on the "Have you seen TILLY - Tasha is safe - Heacham PE31" Facebook page.