Rock icon Chrissie Hynde is desperately seeking help after her beloved Jack Russell terrier, Nico, disappeared in London two weeks ago. The 74-year-old Pretenders frontwoman last saw five-year-old Nico in the Colindale area, specifically Silkstream Park, and has taken to social media to appeal for information.
Heartbroken Plea on Instagram
In an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, Hynde wrote: 'I've lost my dog, Nico. She is very dear to me and I am absolutely heartbroken. She was last seen in Silkstream park in Colindale London.' She urged anyone spotting Nico not to chase her, as the dog 'might be very nervous' after being separated from her owner and 'on the run' for weeks.
The following day, Hynde intensified her appeal: 'Please, please, please if anyone has seen her at all, can you let me know? Last seen: Silkstream Park in Colindale, London. NW7/NW9. Can anyone in Great Britain tell me of the whereabouts of my little dog Nico?'
Fears of Malicious Intent
In her posts, Hynde speculated on Nico's fate, saying: 'I don't know if someone has fallen in love with her and is harbouring her in their home? Or maybe someone has grabbed her and using her for some malicious purpose…? Or maybe she's been knocked over by a car and is lying in a bush, dying.'
Her followers flooded the comments with support, and animal welfare organization Peta responded: 'We're devastated to hear this. Putting up posters locally, offering a reward, and reaching out to all nearby shelters and rescue groups can make the difference. Never give up; miracles happen. Hoping hard that sweet Nico is home safe soon.'
Hynde's Deep Connection to London
Though born in the US, Hynde moved to London in the 1970s and co-founded The Pretenders, known for hits like 'Don't Get Me Wrong,' 'Talk of the Town,' and 'Brass in Pocket.' The band has achieved number-one singles and albums, earned Grammy nominations, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In a May interview with The Telegraph, Hynde expressed her love for London: 'I've always loved London and I've moved around a lot, like every few months. What do I like about London? Well, that would be a whole book. The parks, the green space, the trees. Everywhere in London is near a park and nature, that's the beauty of it.'
Having lived in west and north London over five decades, Hynde now feels settled in her current home for three years. She said: 'I'll probably stay here now. I can walk across the street to the shop, I'm a two-minute walk from the Tube and I've got everything right at my fingertips. I can walk from here to Marble Arch, to the West End. Paddington Rec, that's also local to me.'
Other Celebrity Pet Loss
Hynde's ordeal comes as BBC Radio 1 host Greg James and his wife Bella Mackie mourn the death of their dog Barney, highlighting a week of celebrity pet heartbreak.
