A newly-married couple spent their entire wedding night searching for their beloved dog after she bolted during their first dance. James and Victoria Pringle tied the knot at Auchen Castle near Moffat on Saturday, with their four-year-old spaniel-terrier cross, Pia, serving as ring-bearer.
Pia was spooked by the music and ran off, prompting the distraught couple to spend seven hours scouring the surrounding woodland while their 95 guests celebrated inside without them. Victoria's wedding dress was ripped and her legs covered in cuts and nettle stings as she crawled through undergrowth in the desperate search.
Desperate search turns to joy
Victoria, 28, said: “Everything had gone to plan through the day and my dad was about to take Pia up to the room when we were called to cut our wedding cake and for our first dance.” She explained that Pia ran out the front door while they were on the dance floor, and despite searching under tables and outside with guests, there was no sign of her.
“I howked up my dress and crawled through undergrowth looking for her. My dress was ripped and my legs covered in cuts and nettle stings. I’m not religious, but I started to pray,” she added. James, 29, noted the nearby lake and motorway posed dangers, but he kept his fears to himself.
Rescue thanks to Lost Dogs Dumfries and Galloway
The couple's uncle contacted Lost Dogs Dumfries and Galloway, and Lee Herron and her husband arrived at the castle with sardines. Using thermal binoculars, Lee spotted Pia at the hotel door just after 2am, and the family was reunited minutes after the couple had gone up to their room.
Lee said: “When we became aware Pia had gone missing from her owners’ wedding, we knew straight away how devastating it was for the family.” She explained that CCTV showed Pia had tried to return earlier, and the team advised laying a sardine trail and using thermal binoculars and a live camera. “It was a privilege to see them reunited as a family, and a really emotional moment.”
Victoria described the relief as tears of sadness turning to tears of joy. “We don’t feel like we missed out on anything because all of the main things at the wedding had been done and we’ve so many happy memories of the day,” she said. The couple has made a donation to Lost Dogs Dumfries and Galloway, with James hoping to ensure the group can continue its work with the best equipment.
