MISSING Jack Russell terrier Sally-Ann knew her way home.

It just took her a long time to get there...

And she ended-up leaving her owner stunned by arriving on the doorstep nearly TWO years after she disappeared from outside a Farnworth supermarket.

Mother of two Clare Topcu was devastated when her pet vanished in January 2001.

Day after day she went looking for the Sally-Ann who she had owned for 11 years.

Then out-of-the-blue, she received a phone call three weeks ago informing her Sally-Ann was waiting on the doorstep of her old house on Penn Street, Farnworth.

Clare, who now lives two miles away on Affleck Avenue, Stoneclough, said: "I couldn't believe it. I had looked everywhere for her and had never given up hope.

"She recognised me straight away. My family is now complete again."

Her daughter Georgina, aged 17, was also delighted. Her grandfather had given her the dog as a Christmas present when she was six.

Clare said: "We used to say Sally-Ann was her big sister. She would put her in a pram, instead of her doll. They were best buddies. She was devastated when she went missing."

Clare, who is married and also has a son Demir, aged two, believes that the dog, now aged 13, was stolen from outside the supermarket.

She said: "Sally-Ann is so loyal. I never needed to put her on a lead. I could go in the hairdressers for two hours and she would wait outside.

"The only reason she would not return to a loving home would be if she was being kept away by force."

Clare, a promotions consultant, also said the dog must have been to a vet within the past two years who should have scanned the Jack Russell's microchip, which would have given the real owner's details. But overall she is just glad to have the old dog back home.

She added: "He's getting his spirit back now, despite a shortage of exercise."

MISSING Jack Russell terrier Sally-Ann knew her way home.

It just took her a long time to get there...

And she stunned her owner stunned by arriving on the doorstep nearly TWO years after she disappeared from outside a Farnworth supermarket.

Mother of two Clare Topcu was devastated when her pet vanished in January 2001.

Day after day she went looking for the Sally-Ann who she had owned for 11 years.

Then out-of-the-blue, she received a phone call three weeks ago informing her Sally-Ann was waiting on the doorstep of her old house on Penn Street, Farnworth.

Mrs Topcu, who now lives two miles away on Affleck Avenue, Stoneclough, said: "I couldn't believe it. I had looked everywhere for her and had never given up hope.

"She recognised me straight away. My family is now complete again."

Her daughter Georgina, aged 17, was also delighted. Her grandfather had given her the dog as a Christmas present when she was six.

Mrs Topcu said: "We used to say Sally-Ann was her big sister. She would put her in a pram, instead of her doll. They were best buddies. She was devastated when she went missing."

Mrs Topcu, who is married and also has a son Demir, aged two, believes that the dog, now aged 13, was stolen from outside the supermarket.

She said: "Sally-Ann is so loyal. I never needed to put her on a lead. I could go in the hairdressers for two hours and she would wait outside.

"The only reason she would not return to a loving home would be if she was being kept away by force."

Mrs Topcu, a promotions consultant, also said the dog must have been to a vet within the past two years who should have scanned the Jack Russell's microchip, which would have given the real owner's details.

She added: "He's getting his spirit back now, despite a shortage of exercise."