'I'm ecstatic': B.C. man gets his puppy back 3 days after she was stolen

Brad Kuichbrought his puppy, Belle, home when she was just eight weeks old.

The Kelowna, B.C., man said itwas "life-changing" to have the border collie around,and the pair developed "a real tight bond."

So when the dog went missing earlier this week, Kuichsaid his "heart went right up into his throat."

His heart leapt again on Friday, but for a much better reason.

"I got a phone call from thepolice service in Medicine Hat ...they said they recovered Belle," he told the Calgary Eyeopener. "I'm ecstatic."

"The constable said they took her out she was in her crate and gave her some water," he said. "She's bouncing around now and she wants to play ball, so that's a good sign."

Belle went missing when Kuich'spickup truck was stolen from theMedicine Hat Mall parking lot on Tuesday. The puppy had been waiting in the Chevywhile her owner stopped to pick up a new cell phone.

"I was in total shock," Kuich said.

The owner appealed to whoever could have taken the truck, asking them to drop Belle off somewhere safe.

Medicine Hat police said they found the pickup in a parking lot not far from the mall on Friday, with the dog safe in the back.

"She was in good health," Insp. Joe West said. "We're currently processing the truck for forensic evidence to see if we can find a suspect."

Should charges be laid, the officer said there likely wouldn't be an extra charge for stealing the dog along with the truck because the puppy didn't appear to have been mistreated.

For Kuich, all that matters is that he's gettingBelle back.

"I'm just thrilled."