MANSFIELD, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Massachusetts woman returned home to find a burglar running away with some of her belongings.

What she didn't know then -- and what has her heartbroken now -- is that her most precious possession was taken.

Caitlin Troy has the memories photos of her beloved dog Gizmo who died last year. Until a few days ago, she also had her pet's ashes.

“When he passed away it made me feel a little bit better to have a little piece of him still here,” said Troy.

The ashes were in a box like on her dresser. The box was among other things stolen -- by a thief --- from Caitlin’s Mansfield home on Tuesday.

Troy was just coming home from self defense classes as the burglar was making his escape down the stairs.

“So I yelled – I think it was like, ‘Hey, stop,’ and he started running. So I just like – I don’t know what I was thinking, I just started to take off after him,” said Troy.

She couldn't catch him though, and later realized the ashes were gone.

“I was devastated when he died and I mean, he was the world to me,” said Troy.

Gizmo -- a Portuguese water dog lived 15 years. He was with the family since he was a puppy and to Caitlin, his memory is more valuable than anything else

Troy and her friends have now posted signs all over town describing the urn hoping someone will help reunite her with her precious pet.