Mike Isaac, the owner of the Petland store in Naperville, about 30 miles west of Chicago, told the Chicago Sun-Times the 2-month-old Pomeranian "needs to be cared for like a newborn baby." The dog was the smallest one in the store.

Police said they hope to recover the dog, which has a microchip implanted under one ear. The theft set off an online "amber alert'' by a pet locating service and the shop's security camera captured clear images of the young man who stole the dog, the newspaper said.

The man asked an employee Friday morning if he could see the dog. While he was examining the puppy, he asked for more information and then walked out when the clerk went to get it.

A Web site, Helpmefindmypet.com, issued an alert to all veterinarians, pet stores and other businesses within 50 miles that deal with animals.