“He's my friend and he wasn't ready to go into a nursing home," said Mary Robbins.
Omahan Mary Robbins recently welcomed her longtime friend, 92-year-old Bill Bennett into her home.
When Bennett was 17 he joined the Navy and served in World War II. Blair, Nebraska, is where he called home until about six weeks ago.
“You know what's so comical is Bill said he'd never live in the city and look where he is now,” said Robbins.
Bennett didn’t come to the big city alone; he brought his best friend Alfie.
“If he wasn't on my lap, he was right next to me,” said Bennett.
Alfie is more than just a dog to the veteran.
“When my wife was killed in a rollover crash, he became my dog,” said Bennett.
The 15-year-old Schnauzer is his world and when Alfie went missing on August 29th, Bennett was crushed.
“You don't know what you have until it's gone. He really didn't know how strong that companionship was until he isn't with him,” said Robbins.
Robbins says when she called the dogs into her home near 27th and Leavenworth, only one dog came. Alfie and her dog Suzie were gone. Suzie was found a few days later near 30th and Ames. Alfie is still missing.
“I don't cry anymore, sometimes you just have to accept what happens,” said Bennett.
Robbins says she can't thank the public enough for looking for Alfie.
“Thank heavens for social media,” said Robbins.
Alfie’s photo has been shared thousands of times on Facebook thanks to the group “Lost Pets of Omaha.” Everyone is rooting for Bennett to get his best friend back.
“I don't know that he is still alive, but I hope he is still alive,” said Bennett.
Alfie is described as an elderly dog weighing close to 15 lbs. He has a salt and pepper coat and was last seen wearing a purple collar near 27th and Leavenworth.
If you have any idea where Alfie is please contact the Omaha Humane Society or call 402-345-6789.
