By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - The Dishon family searched the neighborhoods and prayed for nearly two months that their lost puppy Lucy would return.

What they got instead was an envelope containing $100 and an anonymous note, saying the family that found the Chihuahua-poodle mix doesn't want to give her up.

Alisa Dishon, 36 and mother of three, said the money is no compensation for their hurt and loss.

"How do you put a price on your children's feelings and emotions?" Dishon asked. "A million dollars wouldn't cover that."

The family received the unsigned letter Saturday, postmarked Cincinnati, telling them Lucy had been found and giving them $100 to "somehow compensate for the loss." The writer said the new family wants to keep Lucy because they recently had a death in the family and can't handle another loss.

"At first I was a little sympathetic to them," Dishon said. "But on the first day, they could have given her back before they got attached."

The Dishons are not sure how Lucy got past the electronic fence Sept. 10. They put up fliers and called police and shelters, hoping to find her.

The letter from "someone who cares" said the buff-colored dog was found roaming the streets. After stopping to avoid hitting her, the writer said, the family wound up taking her home. The letter states the dog is doing well, has been to a veterinarian and has follow-up appointments.

That's little consolation to the Dishons, who want her back. They considered getting another dog, but have put it off.

"If three months from now, we found the person who had her and after all this still didn't give her back, we would consider taking some legal action," Dishon said.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com