Dog lovers Paula and Peter Closier were frantic with worry when their 5-year-old beagle mix, Bonnie, managed to escape from their yard on Sunday, July 10. As reported by the BBC, Paula was particularly concerned since their home is close to a busy road, raising fears that Bonnie might be in danger of getting hit by a car.
“Bonnie was once a stray, and we were terrified that she wouldn't know how to find her way back,” Paula shared with the BBC.
The couple, along with their two daughters and neighbors, immediately began searching their West Sussex neighborhood in England, hoping to find Bonnie. They reached out to local veterinarians, police, and animal shelters, but there was no sign of their beloved dog.
In a bid to widen the search, Paula also posted about Bonnie's disappearance on Facebook, hoping that someone in the community might spot her.
Later that day, John Wilmer was on his way to a dog show with his two dogs when he noticed Bonnie by the side of the road, not far from where the Closiers had been searching. “I was in a hurry to get to the show, but when I saw Bonnie, I decided to pick her up and take her along,” he told the BBC. “She was such a sweet dog that I thought it would be fun to enter her in the show.”
Before heading to the event, Wilmer posted on Facebook that he had found a dog on the street. The Closiers quickly saw the post and contacted Wilmer.
In the meantime, Wilmer, who had already made plans for Bonnie, decided to give her a chance to enjoy the dog show with his dogs before returning her home. He entered her into the competition, and to everyone’s surprise, Bonnie won third place in the “Best Rescue” category.
When Wilmer finally brought Bonnie back to the Closiers, she was proudly sporting a large yellow ribbon for her third-place finish. “We couldn’t believe it when John brought her home with a rosette,” Paula told the BBC. “It’s just a shame she didn’t take first place.”
Bonnie’s charm shone through during the competition. “She's such a free spirit,” Paula told The Dodo. “She’s always happy, with her tail constantly wagging.” Bonnie, who was rescued from the streets of Crete, Greece, had once been a stray.
What started as a frightening day for the Closier family turned into a memorable one. “We found her little adventure both hilarious and heartwarming,” Paula shared with The Dodo. “We’re just so glad she’s safe, healthy, and even a winner now. It’s like something out of a storybook.”
“Bonnie was perfectly fine when she got back home. She probably thought she had just had the best day ever,” Peter said, according to People. “When she went missing, I had all sorts of outcomes running through my mind. The best scenario was her coming back home, but this was even better—she came back with a rosette!”
Now that Bonnie has proven her potential in the world of dog shows, Paula is considering entering her in another competition.
“We might give it a try,” she said. “It’s clear she enjoys them.”