A thief broke into a West Knoxville home Thursday, ripping off TV’s, cash and random items around the house.

But the crook also took something money cannot replace — the family dog.

Mellow is a small, white dog with two bad legs, major allergies and prescription medication.

Dina Taher, Mellow’s owner, calls him her “special needs dog.” Everyone who meets him tells Taher they want to steal him.

“He’s so friendly, and so sweet. He loves to sit on your lap and chew a bone,” she said.

But Taher never thought this joke would turn into a real nightmare.

“I didn’t want to believe it at first.”

She came home from work Thursday night to find lights on in her house. Lights she knew she had turned off that morning.

“My deadbolt was broken, there was debris on the floor and a bunch of things were missing,” she said.

The thief used a crowbar, busting up the door frame and bending the lock to get inside.

“My first thought was ‘holy crap.’ My second thought was ‘where’s my dog,'” she said.

The four-year-old Maltese-poodle mix was nowhere to be found. Taher walked around the neighborhood calling him.

“He doesn’t leave my sight. He always makes sure that I’m in sight. He could be 30 feet away, as long as he can see me,” she said.

Mellow is on medication. His allergies include cats, grass, moths, silk and wool. Taher jokes that he’s allergic to life.

And that’s why she’s so anxious.

“He’s my family. He’s who I come home to every day. He’s who I share a bed with every night,” she said.

The thief got away with more than $4,000 dollars worth of stolen property. But Taher said none of that matters. She just wants Mellow back home.  (WVLT)