AN Upperthong woman is appealing for help to find her treasured pet.

Lisa Bellard is searching for her 16-month-old English springer spaniel, Bertie, who disappeared on a walk on October 30.

If someone has found him they will not know he needs expensive medical treatment.

Lisa was walking Bertie and her other dog, a field spaniel called Bilbo Baggins, at Blackhill on the moors above Holmfirth.

They were about two miles from the A635 road to Greenfield when Bertie ran off and disappeared from view.

Despite a frantic search, Lisa was unable to find him. She has since enlisted the help of a friend trained in mountain rescue to try and find the dog.

Saddleworth-based Pennine Helicopters Ltd even stepped in and provided a 45-minute flight over the moors – usually priced at £1,800 – for free.

But Lisa could not spot Bertie.

She believes he may have made it back to the road and could have been picked up by a passing motorist.

“We couldn’t see him anywhere,’’ she said. “It’s so unlike him to run off. He usually just stays by my side, but I think he must have made it to the road and someone may have picked him up.

“He is microchipped, but nobody has reported him. He’s such a gorgeous dog. He is so friendly and loves other dogs. He is a desirable dog and someone might have decided to keep him.”

Lisa adopted Bertie from the English Springer Rescue in February.

He had a badly twisted leg as the result of a trauma in early life.

Since living with Lisa he has undergone treatment including two major operations and rehabilitation at a total cost of £4,000.

She said: “He was in pain before and he’s had a tough life so far.

“Now this has happened to him. Someone who has him might not realise that he needs care and will cost a lot of money because he will need further treatment.”

Lisa, a former senior management executive, is desperate for the return of her pet, who she says helped her cope while she was locked in a bitter grievance dispute with her former employer.

She said: “I had to take out a grievance procedure with the company and I was on anti-depressants throughout 2006.

“Getting the dogs was part of my recuperation – they made me get up in the morning. They were a godsend.”

Contact Lisa on 01484 680365.