Lost dog who boarded bus to keep warm is reunited with owner

A little lost dog who boarded a bus by himself and refused to leave as temperatures plunged to minus 11C has been reunited with his owner in time for Christmas. The frozen Cairn terrier, named Hamish, was found cowering on the bus in the west end of Glasgow with icicles hanging from his fur. Passengers were astounded when the dog, aged about eight years old, boarded the First bus when it stopped on Dumbarton Road on Wednesday. He was so cold he found a warm spot in the corner and curled up.

The bus driver took the freezing dog along to the local police station and he was then taken to the Scottish SPCA's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Center. Luckily, his owner Ashley McGuinness heard about his antics on the news and was able to track him down. She said that he had been out in the garden of her home in Drumchapel when he disappeared.

Ashley added: "My sister in law heard on the radio that the Scottish SPCA were looking for the owner of a Cairn terrier who had gone on a bus and I thought it had to be Hamish. He was out in the garden and I think he escaped by going under a fence. I was desperate to get him back home and I couldn't be happier."

Anna O'Donnell, assistant manager at the center, said: "The passengers on the bus must have had a real surprise when Hamish decided to climb onboard. Even in his short time with us he showed he was a cheeky wee character. He certainly must have plenty of spirit about him, especially given his age, to have walked a few miles and then jumped on a bus. "We're just pleased to have been able to look after him and return him to his owner."