Britain's most famous huntswoman has been reunited with her whippet dogs after enlisting the help of mediums in a desperate bid to get them back following a five-day ordeal. Influencer Callie Coles, 42, known as the 'Huntswoman of Instagram', turned to mediums and prayer during the distressing period that she shared with her 1.1 million followers.
The dogs 'ran off' during a walk in the grounds of Mrs Coles's Devon farmhouse near Roadford Lake. Over the course of five 'excruciating' days, she consulted mediums Mary Mack, who specialises in animal communication and telepathy, and Camilla Munro. Mrs Coles said: 'I prayed to God. I prayed to Saint Anthony. I even prayed to San Judas Tadeo. I prayed hard.'
After searching 'everywhere', walking 'miles and miles', and contacting vets and dog wardens, her prayers were finally answered when her whippets returned home. In an emotional Instagram post, she wrote: 'These past five days have been excruciating. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Not ever. Thank you for all of your love and helpful advice. I so appreciated it. Even if I don’t always reply. It’s been utterly overwhelming if I’m totally honest.'
Mrs Coles described her white and brown whippet Marmalade as her 'best friend' who 'is rarely further than a few feet away from me'. The brown whippet, belonging to her husband Toby, sometimes runs off for half an hour and wears a tracker, which unfortunately malfunctioned during their disappearance.
Medium influencer Mary Mack, who owns whippets herself, claims to be telepathic and states on her Instagram: 'I can speak to insects, I can speak to mammals, reptiles. It is very, very, very much real.' She is now selling online courses on 'how to communicate with animals, trees, anything living'. A commenter on Mrs Coles's initial post suggested Ms Mack should 'connect with them to find out where they are', to which Ms Mack replied: 'Happy to!! I will try later when I have some time'. In a recent post, Ms Mack said she communicated with a cat named Mr Red, who expressed dislike for the 'pungent' smell of oranges and a hatred of foxes.
Camilla Munro's mediumship is more astrology-based, but she also offers readings claiming to provide spiritual guidance. Relieved friends and fans flooded the comment section of Mrs Coles's post announcing the dogs' return. Pottery influencer Jena Bedson, with 159,000 followers, commented: 'This post has made my day. I felt so broken-hearted for you, knowing firsthand how it feels to lose your beloved pet. I never did see my beautiful 10-year-old little guy again. I now have a sweet 17-year-old whippet cross, she is such a shining light. Blessings to you all.' Artist influencer Ruth Watt, with 96,000 followers, added: 'Thank f**k for that! Excuse my language. Meant to comment earlier my dismay for you’s! So so glad you’re together again. Nothing worse than the worry and not knowing.'
Mrs Coles created her Instagram page as a 'memory box' for her children Jesse, Merlin, Pippin, and Peregrine. She stated she never intended to achieve social media fame, calling it a 'happy accident' after a computer crash erased years of family photos. The family's four-bed home at Woodley Park Farm, which also includes two separate two-bed homes and 24 acres of land, was recently listed for £875,000.
Last year, she wrote movingly on Instagram about her sorrow at her beloved horse Warrior's sudden death from a heart attack during a drag hunt. Describing his final moments, she posted: 'Kneeling beside you in the mud. It was the unthinkable happening, the thing I had most dreaded. A heart attack in the midst of doing what you loved. Hounds running. The whicker of affection from your laboured nostril intended to reassure even as you died. I have to remember the joy that you brought into my day, for nine years. Almost a quarter of my life. You gave me such confidence, sitting up behind those periscope ears - you changed my life. You singled me out and I was yours. You tenderly nannied the children despite your tendencies for overexuberance. You looked to me for love and sought me out. I feel truly honoured. My broken heart will hold you in it until we meet again. I owe you everything. I love you.'
