Where were you, Quazar?

He may be completely bald and a pampered star of the show ring, but Quazar the Chinese crested dog has revealed that deep down he has the bulldog spirit.

He survived five nights on the run in Telford during the coldest weather of the year. And he is now back warming himself in front of the fire alongside his mum - thanks to the Shropshire Star.

Quazar went walkabout on Saturday, from the home of his carer Donna Morgan, in Willowfield, Woodside, after her daughter left the front door ajar.

Mrs Morgan was looking after him on behalf of his owner Liz Bushnall, of Third Avenue, Ketley Bank, because she had a bitch in heat.And after Mrs Morgan appealed for help in tracking down Quazar through the Shropshire Star, dozens of readers contacted her.

During the week, there were numerous sightings of Quazar in Woodside, including one in which he trotted up to smokers outside The Dolphin pub.

But no-one was able to catch the little chap. And Mrs Morgan and Mrs Bushnall became increasingly fearful he would freeze to death as he never normally ventures outside without his jacket.

But the breakthrough came yesterday when Michelle Walker, admin officer at Sutton Hill Medical Practice, spotted Quazar through her window and phoned the Shropshire Star.

She dashed into the car park, but the frightened pooch ran away towards Hills Lane.

Mrs Bushnall hot-footed it to the scene and is now reunited with Quazar.

Mrs Morgan said: “Liz went to the car park with Pikatu, Quazar’s mum, and another bitch and called him.

“He came trotting out from under the hedge, straight to his mum.

“He is now back home and seems really well.

“For a hairless dog to survive five nights outside in temperatures down to -5C (23F) is nothing short of a miracle - let alone the risk of being eaten by a fox, attacked by a big dog or killed by traffic.

“I was in tears yesterday morning as I scraped the ice off my car windscreen and thought of poor little Quazar shivering in the cold.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped us. The response was fantastic.”

By Peter Johnson