A “distraught” great-grandmother is pleading for the safe return of her beloved 12-week-old puppy after she went missing on a walk.

Gladys Hutton’s daughter bought West Highland Terrier Millie to keep her mother company last week.

Carol Aston said the dog had given her 78-year-old mother, from Kingswinford, a new lease of life. Mrs Aston, who lives in Lower Beobridge near Claverley, Wolverhampton, said she was desperate to reunite the pair.

The mother-of-one, who also has a step-daughter, said: “We got a puppy for mum last week because she has been really lonely and depressed and she loves my dogs.

“There has been a real difference in her since she has had Millie, she’s been like a new woman.

“She took her out for a walk along the railway line from Ham Lane towards Wombourne and picked the dog up because it was raining. Mum tripped and fell and the dog became scared and ran off.

“Mum spent two hours looking for her and we have all been out looking without any joy.”

A teary Mrs Aston, aged 49, added: “She is absolutely distraught and I just feel so sorry for her. If somebody has got her they might think she has been dumped but we just want to get her back for mum.”

Millie has had all the necessary injections but had not yet been electronically chipped before she went missing.

Mrs Hutton’s relatives have been out putting up posters appealing for information about Millie’s whereabouts after she went missing on Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Aston bought West Highland Terrier Millie in Redditch and said she was “gorgeous”.

“We picked a Westie as they are small and mum can manage with a small dog,” she said.

Mother-of-two Mrs Hutton, of Flanders Drive, Kingswinford, has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mrs Aston said a reward would be paid for information leading to Millie’s safe return.

Anyone with information should call Mrs Aston on 07739 531156.