A PENSIONER last night told of his joy at being reunited with his pedigree pooch.

Roy Dickson had been left heartbroken after his pet Pogo was dognapped from the front seat of his car.

Pogo, a-four-year old Pomeranian, vanished from Roy's Vauxhall Astra as he went shopping.

Roy, 71, had left the dog alone for less than five minutes in Birkenshaw Retail park in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.

Following a police appeal a woman from Bathgate, West Lothian, realised to her horror that a dog her dad bought for £30 matched Pogo's.

The woman - who has asked not to be named - contacted the police and told them how a mystery man had sold the pet to her dad at the Blochairn Fruit Market in Glasgow.

Anxious Roy was driven to met the woman and was soon hugging Pogo again.

Last night an emotional Roy thanked the family for looking after his prized pooch.

He said: "I was absolutely distraught when I realised he had been stolen.

"I was shaking with anger and fear for the dog. I honestly wasn't sure whether I'd see him again but I never lost faith. I'm so glad he's back in one piece.

"He's a timid wee thing and I couldn't sleep for worry.

"I kept scouring the pets for sale section in the paper and was continually on the phone to a few nearby dog pounds to see if he'd been handed in but there was nothing.

"When I finally got the call that they had him I was over the moon. I was so relieved.

"The family that bought the dog said they'd been offered him outside the Blochairn Market.

"But when they heard about the police appeal they recognised him straight away.

"I told the police he had a really curly tail and his teeth sat at a slight angle.

"I'm so glad that that family saw the paper. Their wee girl was really upset we had to take him away because she had fallen in love with him.

"They looked after him really well and I'm so grateful."

Last night a Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "Following our appeal a phone call was received from a female in Bathgate.

"The woman said she believed her father had bought the dog at Blochairn Market in Glasgow for £30.

"Mr Dickson was taken through to Bathgate where he was happily reunited with the dog.

"Further inquiries will be made regarding the theft of the dog following descriptions obtained from the witness."