A pensioner is desperate to be reunited with her beloved pet dog after becoming separated from him during a long hospital stay.

Sheila Balmforth is ‘broken-hearted’ to have lost track of her ‘best friend’ - beloved Yorkshire terrier Buster - after leaving him with someone else in her home village before she went into hospital just before New Year.

The situation got complicated when that villager felt unable to cope with looking after the dog and passed him on to someone else to care for, leaving Sheila, who is in her 80s and comes from Tattenhall , confused as to his current whereabouts.

Helen Watson, who became close friends with Sheila during their stay in hospital, admitted the situation has become ‘messy’ following a ‘catalogue of disasters by well-meaning people’, but emphasises Sheila does not blame anyone and is just solely focused on getting her beloved Buster back.

Helen told the Chronicle: “When I met Sheila in hospital she had been in for a few weeks and was crying because she didn’t know what had happened to her dog. She doesn’t have a lot of family and it’s no exaggeration to say Buster is her best friend.

Sheila Balmforth still has some memories of to Buster

“Initially she thought someone else in the village would be looking after him while she was in hospital but then she heard they didn’t have him anymore and she’s just been distraught. We know it won’t be malicious and she is so grateful to whoever has been caring for Buster but now she has been back home for more than a month and she just wants him back,” she explained.

“So this is a call out to the community. We have no doubt Buster is being well looked after and as distraught as Sheila is, she knows whoever has him is genuine, but she just wants to know where he is.

“It’s possible he may be with someone in Tarvin and Sheila is very grateful to them and wants to thank them for taking care of her best friend. She’s willing to pay whatever vet bills Buster might need.”

Helen added: “Sheila has had Buster for three years since he was a puppy and has all his innoculation certificates. This is absolutely breaking her heart. She has lost a stone in weight with all the worry and is crying all the time.

“She just wants her Buster back.”

If anyone has information about Buster, please contact Chronicle reporter Carmella De Lucia by email at carmella.delucia@trinitymirror.com or call 01244 606438.