- By Melanie Faldo
Some stories hit hard, and this one’s a proper gut punch. A bunch of celebs are stepping up to help find a dog that did more than just wag her tail – she literally saved her owner’s life.
Gracie, a Dachshund crossbreed, was the miracle that helped Mickey Anthony fight through the grimmest time of his life. This pooch went above and beyond, helping Mickey battle prostate cancer. Now, she’s missing, and the search is on to bring her back home.
The call for help has come from some big names, including former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, Welsh football legend Neville Southall, TV producer Jane Fallon (wife of Ricky Gervais), and award-winning actress Belinda Blethyn. They’ve all thrown their support behind a desperate nationwide hunt for the rescue dog, who disappeared while under the care of a dog-sitter last September in Pershore, Worcestershire.
Mickey, 54, was hit with a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020, just weeks before his 50th birthday. He had no symptoms at all, but a routine check-up turned his world upside down. Despite being advised to go the traditional surgery route, Mickey opted for a less invasive treatment called Focal Therapy, which, thank goodness, worked a treat. It saved him from the awful side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
But even after the medical win, the emotional toll was a whole other battle. Mickey sank into a deep depression, finding it tough to find the motivation to get better. That’s when Gracie came in and completely flipped the script.
Adopted in October 2021, Gracie, a rescue from Bosnia, became Mickey’s little ray of light. “She put a smile back on my face,” says Mickey. “Every day was about her – walks, weekends, her happiness. She got me out of my slump and helped me get my life back after cancer. Gracie was my saviour.”
Then, on September 8, 2024, disaster struck again. While Mickey and his partner Gaynor were on holiday in Turkey, the dog-sitter left a door open, and Gracie bolted. She’s been missing ever since.
Mickey didn’t hang about when he got the call – he and Gaynor flew back to the UK in a heartbeat and hit the ground running with search efforts. They set up food stations, hired tracker dogs, got cameras up, and even flew drones across the countryside. But despite multiple reported sightings, Gracie’s nowhere to be found.
Mickey’s plea has gone viral. Local businesses have put up posters, radio stations and newspapers have covered the story, and a Facebook group, run by MuddyPawsCrime, is keeping everyone updated. Even big-name celebs have lent their voices. Kym Marsh, who knows firsthand how devastating prostate cancer is, has been one of the loudest supporters: "Losing Gracie is like losing a part of Mickey himself," says Kym. "Pets aren’t just pets – they’re family. And when they’re the ones who help you through your darkest days, losing them is beyond heartbreaking."
Gracie’s story has gone viral, with over a million people seeing her missing poster. She even trended on X (formerly Twitter) at number 10 – that’s how big this has gotten.
"I can’t even put into words how much Gracie means to me," says Mickey. "She survived the streets of Bosnia, and she’s the reason I’m still here. She helped me keep fighting through cancer. Now that she’s gone, I feel like I’ve lost everything again."
Gracie’s a black and grey long-haired Dachshund cross with a little underbite. If you’ve seen her or know anything, please get in touch. Mickey and Gaynor are desperate to have their girl back.
To help:
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X: #BringGracieHome
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Facebook: Gracie Missing 8th September 2024 from Worcestershire WR10
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Contact: [email protected]
Let’s all help bring this four-legged hero home.
