Brandon Twp.- Bruiser has been regifted for Christmas.
Lindsey Vollmer first received the Chihuahua puppy as a present from her husband, David, shortly before he deployed to Iraq with the Army. He intended for the puppy to keep her from being lonely while he is gone for the next 15 months.
But on Dec. 12, the 3-month-old puppy was stolen, along with Vollmer’s car, while she was inside Subway, 1748 S. Ortonville Road. Vollmer had left her 2004 silver Grand Am running with Bruiser and several Christmas gifts inside while she stopped for a sandwich. When she walked out again, the car and her puppy were gone.
‘I was shocked and searched the whole parking lot for my car… I thought it was a joke…and then I realized it was gone and called the police and everyone was looking for it,? Vollmer recalls. ‘I was crying. I didn’t want the car back, I just wanted my puppy.?
Vollmer wasn’t able to speak with David, who is stationed in Baghdad with the 410 Mountain Division as a mechanic and machine gunner, for two more days. He told her that as long as she was OK, that was all that matters. Vollmer’s father told her to have faith and good things would happen. He was right. On Dec. 14, Sgt. Kevin Kline from the Clinton Township Police Department called Vollmer. They had apprehended a woman who robbed a tanning salon near 15 Mile Road and Harper who was driving Vollmer’s car. Bruiser wasn’t in it, but police learned the thief, Pontiac resident Amanda Hayes, 20, had given the dog to her boyfriend, who in turn gave it to a 10-year-old boy as a Christmas present.
‘I started crying when they told me they had the dog back,? Vollmer remembers. ‘I said, ‘Are you serious? Where are you at? I’m coming to get him right now.? I was so happy to have him back.?
The story has ended happily for the 10-year-old boy, too. Vollmer contacted a woman who had offered to donate a 4-month-old Chihuahua puppy to her to replace Bruiser and the woman agreed to donate the other puppy to the boy.
‘It kinda worked out both ways,? Vollmer said. ‘I am relieved it’s over and I’m glad it worked out for everybody.?
She looks down at Bruiser, cuddled in her arms.
‘This dog means the world to me,? she says. ‘He’s a piece of my husband that I still have here with me.?