ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando woman came home on Christmas Eve to find someone had stolen her French bulldog puppy, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Teresa Luse told deputies she left her home around 6 p.m. Saturday, and when she returned at 9:45 p.m., her 1-year-old dog Stewart and his bed and toys were all gone. The dog was not microchipped or neutered.
"He was the love of my life. I would have that dog before I would have a husband. Let's put it that way," Luse told News 6.
Luse got Stewart in January, a few months after her father died.
"He just brought so much joy to me and anybody that got in touch with the dog or me could see how well I was doing, coping with the grief of my dad," Luse said.
Luse believes someone targeted Stewart.
She said the person or persons broke in only to steal him and nothing else.
"My computer is sitting in there. They didn't pick that up. They came for the dog," Luse said.
This is the second time in a month and a half that Luse's home has been broken into. In addition to the loss of her pet, she fears for her safety.
"I'm afraid I am going to get hit here again. Somebody's going to come in next time. It could be me. I'm scared here," Luse said.
Luse is offering a cash reward for the safe return of Stewart, no questions asked.
And she has a message for whoever took him:
"Please give him back ... he loves me so much and I know he does."
Anyone with information about Stewart or his whereabouts is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office.