Trisha Royal returned home Wednesday to find her home had been burglarized.

But it's not the stolen jewelry or electronics she's worried about getting back -- it's Joey, her 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier.

When Royal came home, her door was wide open and Joey was gone. She's not sure if the burglar took him, or if the dog got out when the burglar left the door open.

Royal is the community outreach director for CAP.

She adopted Joey in 2001.

Royal said the black and tan 3½ pound dog has a bad knee and is on medication.

He was wearing a black leather collar with rhinestones and ID tags.

Joey has been the constant companion of Trisha’s other dog, Dixie, CAP’s Four-Legged Ambassador of Good Will.

Joey would often sub for Dixie at schools, libraries, trade shows and other appearances on behalf of CAP.

"Not all animals can do this job. He looks people in the eye," Royal told the Houston Chronicle. "Some dogs don't want to be petted. These dogs can be manhandled from children coming at them from all directions, and they can just sit there. He's the same as a seeing eye dog. He's needed."

"I view it as a kidnapping," CAP volunteer Kim Hogstrom told the newspaper. "They (Dixie and Joey) have developed a following at this point. This is a member of an immediate family. The whole shelter is miserable."

If you have any information about Joey, please call Trisha Royal at 713 464.3525 or 713 202.1639

A cash reward is being offered.