A Maple Creek story that began with heartache of an abducted pet ends in elation

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

Maple Creek, rejoice. Winnie is home at last.

Seven months since being taken, Jenn Lee’s miniature Sheepadoodle is back where she belongs, after a cross-country trek to recover her.

Now that all Jenn’s babies are under one roof – Winn, Owen, Maggie, and Cheeto, her gorgeous ginger cat – her world is complete, and the town seems a bit happier.

Go to The Bargain Shop, where Jenn is manager, and you may be lucky enough to meet Winn, and witness the joy she is spreading and receiving, or you may see her out and about, being taken for a walk.

Give her a cuddle, if you want, and prepare to get a lick or nuzzle in return.

It was on October 30 that Winnie was taken, sparking a social media frenzy. Hopes that the dog with teddy-bear fur and a happy face would be back for Christmas came to nothing, and Jenn and her staff settled in for a long wait.

On Sunday, May 24, Jenn got the RCMP phone call she feared would never come. She learned that Winnie was in an animal rescue shelter in Victoria, British Columbia. Also there was Owen, another of Jenn’s pets that was taken.

The feelings of relief were overwhelming.

“My legs turned to jello and I almost fell over. I was very shocked.”

Jenn was full of praise for Maple Creek RCMP.

“They never gave up on the case,” she said.

Friends and well-wishers organized a quick-fire collection to raise funds to cover the gas bill for a 3,000-kilometre round trip to Victoria. Then on Tuesday, May 26, Jenn, accompanied by Ron and Robin, former Jasper tavern coworkers and now co-drivers, began the 18-hour odyssey to pick up Winn and Owen.

They drove in Robin’s car, stopping off for the night at Abbotsford, BC, where Ron’s parents live, before continuing to Victoria. Their arrival at the animal shelter was captured on video. In it, Winnie and Owen are seen bounding over to Jenn, tails wagging in a frenzy of excitement.

“They were both vibrating all over,” said Jenn, who can be heard calling out “Noodle”, her affectionate name for Winn.

It was then time to head back to Maple Creek.

They returned in the early hours of Friday, exhausted, but elated. The round trip had taken just three days.

Since returning, Winn is getting used to another addition to the Jenn household – Maggie. Given their sweet natures, it is no surprise to learn that the pair are fast becoming best of friends.

“Maggie was my angel while Winnie and Owen were away,” said Jenn. “Cheeto has also been a huge comfort.”

When the News-Times reporter entered Jenn’s home for this interview, Winn and Maggie almost seemed to compete to show the most affection. It was a strangely humbling experience.

The last few months have done nothing to diminish Winn’s nature or appearance. She is as loving as ever, and her dark winsome eyes, often hidden in her fur, still capture hearts with a single look.

“The only thing I’ve noticed is a slight anxiety if she is left alone too long,” said Jenn. “If anything, she is even sweeter than before.”

Happy days are here again. For Jenn, for Winn, and for the community.