Pensioner in heartbreaking search for dog Yan, 'the only friend in my life'

For two weeks Vladimir Davydov, 77, has stood a lonely vigil, leaning on his crutch, on the streets of Bratsk, at the central market or railway station, clutching his sign reading 'Help me find my friend'.

Attached to his notice is a picture of his dog Yan - 'my only partner in life'. Many people anyway know Vladimir and his dog: they are a familiar sight around his area of the Irkutsk region city. 

The ever-patient dog played with local children, even pulling their sledges in the snow. Vladimir and Yan had worked together guarding a construction site, but the retiree injured his thigh and was fired from his night watchman's job. 

He had gone to the office to sort out the paperwork and Yan waited at the gate. 'Suddenly I heard my boy whining,' he said. 'By the time I reached the gate on my crutch, he was no longer there. I saw only blue car disappearing.'

It's not the first time Yan has been kidnapped. 'Last summer he was stolen, taken away 12 kilometres, beaten and thrown away. People told me then - where he was lying. Everybody knew him.'

Vladimir went to retrieve the dog and they were reunited, and he nursed Yan back to health after the savage attack. He prays that again this time someone will spot his dog, and tell him.

Lately the devoted dog owner has waited by the entrance to his block of flats - sitting on a bench through the night in shivering temperatures of minus 15C hoping Yan will return. 

'To tell you the truth, I do not go home almost until the morning, sitting, waiting for him on the bench at the entrance, but he doesn't come,' said Vladimir. 'I get back only at 6 or 7 am. 

'I hope ... I ask God, let them give me back my dog. I'll pay them. I will give them half my pension. You see, I do not have anyone.' 

As a puppy, Yan was about to be 'thrown away' when Vladimir took him and for nine years they have been inseparable. 'We are known all around the neighbourhood. We're always together,' he said proudly. 

'Yan is the only big dog here, so large and tame.' He explained: 'He grew up in the yard playground with the kids. These children now already have their own children. And  they come and attach Yan to their sledges to have a ride with him.'

His neighbour Anna alerted charity Noah's Ark to Vladimir's missing dog and now dozens of volunteers are helping the old man in his quest to find his pet. 

Missing dog notices have been pasted over a large area, in the city and neighbouring villages, asking people to report any neighbours who have suddenly got a new German Shepherd with a lame hind leg.