Durhamregion.com | NewsView Map | Photos | Videos | Goldbook | Faces 2009 Digital | Dating | Events | Flyers | Marketplace | Special Reports | Movies | Features

Lost dog described as ‘emotional lifeline’ to owner

Aug 08, 2008 - 03:35 PM

By Moya Dillon

OSHAWA -- A young woman is devastated after her beloved pet poodle, a great help with her epilepsy therapy, ran away Monday.

Leigh Costain, who lives in Toronto, was visiting her brother Monday when her poodle, Sugar, got out of the backyard at his home near Glen and Wentworth streets in Oshawa. Sugar ran into the path of an SUV and was hit. Although the driver stopped, the dog ran away before they could determine how badly she was hurt.

“I just want to find her,” Ms. Costain said, describing how Sugar would stay with her and comfort her during epileptic seizures. “I just fell in love with her, she’s my best friend.”

Ms. Costain’s father, Gene, travelled up from Tampa to help her find Sugar. He had a hard time finding the words to describe the relationship between his daughter and her pet.    

“It transcends the normal loving relationship between a pet and its owner because of her health,” Mr. Costain said of his daughter. Since she bought Sugar, Ms. Costain’s epileptic incidents have been reduced by half.

“She bonded with Sugar in an extremely special way; it’s therapeutic for her,” Mr. Costain said. “She’s devastated over this.”

Several drivers reported seeing a white poodle along Hwy. 401 on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, near the Bloor and Harmony exit in Oshawa, giving the Costains hope Sugar is alive and well.

“We’re just trying to get some answers,” Mr. Costain said. “It’s just such an awful thing. I want to stay until she gets some kind of resolution.”

Sugar is described as a white Maltese poodle, about a year and a half old and 15 pounds. She is wearing two collars.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Leigh Costain at 647-289-0751 or 905-391-1465 or e-mail Gene Costain at gcostain@ut.edu.

Recommend :

Latest News

Oshawa bank robbed
Durham drug cops announce $3M bust
Newcastle area asked to conserve water now
Hijacked rig unloaded in Ajax
Pickering fireworks vendors robbed on Canada Day
Boy, 15, charged in Pickering sex assault
Suspect in numerous Durham break-ins busted
Sentenced to life in Pickering murder, Cyr denies guilt
Five Durham beaches posted unsafe for swimming
Cops disperse pot party in Oshawa
Media Mash Most Viewed Videos
Death of Pat Gostlin still haunts husband Death of Pat Gostlin still haunts husband

It has been more than six months since teacher and Green Par...

Deer bounds through neighbourhood Deer bounds through neighbourhood

Police, Ajax and Whitby officials were able to safely captur...

Fighting West Nile Fighting West Nile

The Durham Region Health Department is switching gears in it...

Salute and a prayer Salute and a prayer

A young boy from Brooklin paid special tribute with a salute...

Uxbridge farm an international destination Uxbridge farm an international destination

The Family Nickle Happy Farm on Feasby Road is registered on...

The new GM The new GM

The company that was once Like a Rock is getting down to bus...

Previous
1
/ 6
Previous

Blogs


Scene and Heard with Will McGuirk
Mariposa this weekend
Technically Speaking
Touch me, feel me!
Past, Present and Future
Fight for your right
People, Places and Things
My to-do list for July
People, Places and Things
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Word Count
Ajax Canada Day
Scene and Heard with Will McGuirk
Get your Grandma outta here... Here comes KI$$