Brent Metivier, the 14-year-old cerebral palsy boy who had begged the thief who stole his three-month old Brindle pitbull to return him, was in a celebratory mood yesterday.

He was reunited with his friend and playmate, Jimbo, after four young men dropped the puppy off around 4 p.m. yesterday. The men said they had read of how a thief broke into Brent's Arima home and quietly snatched the puppy from his kennel while his family slept.

Brent's mother, Dianne, said the men, who looked to be in their 20s, did not say how or where they found the tiger-coloured puppy. She asked no questions and simply thanked them for returning the puppy.

"They told me that they read Brent's story and their heart went out to him. They said they were youths from Phase 2, Arima, who were trying to do some good in the area and anything bad happen they try to help out. Before they brought the dog they phoned me and told me that they will get back the dog for me," she said. "Apparently, whoever took the dog had already sold it, but they were able to get it back. I let them know that I wouldn't call the police or anything because I just wanted to get my son's puppy back."

In a story published in the Express yesterday, Metivier, a mother of three, had lamented that her son was grieving for his puppy and was constantly crying and even refusing to eat after it went missing. She said Brent had shared a special bond with his puppy, which he received as a gift three months ago.

Because of his condition, Brent is totally dependent on family members to care for him and has limited motor skills. He also cannot speak, but Metivier said ever since they got the puppy, Brent's motor skills had improved slightly and he had even been managing to say the name of the dog.

Yesterday, the Metiviers received dozens of calls from readers who just wanted to give words of encouragement, while a couple others offered to donate a puppy to Brent.

Yesterday afternoon Brent hugged and kissed Jimbo, who appeared to be a bit exhausted from his ordeal. When neighbours learned the dog was returned they too celebrated with the family.

"Everybody is just so happy for Brent, I am so overjoyed, and I really just want to say thanks to those young men who brought him back and all the people who offered to help. It is so nice to know so many people care," Metivier said.