The owner of Aidi, Yang Fan, said the puppy went missing while he was walking the two dogs in Jilin in north-eastern China's Jilin province. The sign reads: “I will pay the one who helps me find my darling dog.”
Mr Yang, 65, was given Aidi by his son after he moved away for work four years ago, leaving him to live alone knowing that his wife had died and his son worried his father would be lonely.
“I was not so bothered at the start about having a dog but must admit we are now very close, she has become one of my family and is a great companion.”
Aidi had two puppies, but only one survived.
“I was taking both mother and puppy for a walk, and the young dog was very excitable but always kept close to its mother. But then suddenly we both noticed it was gone, and although we looked everywhere we could no longer find the puppy.”
Mr Yang said Aidi never gave up wanting to look for her offspring. “She has always been very intelligent and she realized quickly what the sign was for.”
He also stated that lots of people reported sightings but so far none of them have worked out, adding that he is getting new leads every day.
“I hope we might still be able to find her puppy. It's been like losing a member of the family,” he said.