Qiaoqiao, the 7-year-old black Labrador. [Photo by Peng Ziyang for China Daily]

A guide dog that had been missing for 35 hours was sent home around 6 pm on Tuesday together with a note reading: "We do beg your forgiveness".

The previous day a notice had been circulated on social media such as Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, as well as popular messaging app WeChat. It remained one of the most discussed items on Weibo, and more than 4.5 million followed the topic by 3:00 pm.

"Qiao Qiao", a seven-year-old Labrador, was being taken for a walk by its blind masseur owner around 8 am on Monday when it was snatched and driven away by thieves in a gray minivan.

"When I took him out I heard the sound of a car", said Tian Fengbo. Staff at the massage parlor said a minivan appeared and several people took Qiao Qiao.

As well as reporting the theft to police, Tian also publicized the missing dog through the Internet, saying: "I beg you do no harm to it and please help me in finding it. Qiao Qiao is my child and I will spare no money to get him back".

He also set up a WeChat group which saw a rapidly growing number of volunteers devoted in finding Qiao Qiao.