After more than two months desperately searching for her missing dog, Tofino resident Shannon Boothman was delighted to have her best friend back in her arms.

Itska vanished near Tonquin Beach on Nov. 2, and Boothman and police believed at the time that two tourists had taken the dog, thinking it was in need of care.

Boothman said she received a phone call around 9 a.m. on Sunday from a man who said he had Itska and planned to return him.

害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 driving up right now from Victoria to give him back,害羞草研究所� Boothman told the Westerly News on Sunday afternoon. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 really happy. I害羞草研究所檓 ecstatic. I can害羞草研究所檛 believe that I害羞草研究所檓 actually getting him back because it害羞草研究所檚 hard not to give up hope after so long.害羞草研究所�

She sent a photo to the Westerly News around 5 p.m. of her hugging her returned companion.

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The story of Itska害羞草研究所檚 disappearance spread rapidly through social media back in November.

Boothman said she received an anonymous phone call from a person late on Christmas Eve, who gave her the name of an Oak Bay man believed to have the dog.

Boothman said she contacted the Oak Bay Police, who investigated and found Itska, but did not determine the people who were caring for him had criminal intent and handed the file over to the SPCA.

害羞草研究所淭he people felt they were caring for the dog,害羞草研究所� said Oak Bay Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties. 害羞草研究所淵ou aren害羞草研究所檛 apparently allowed to just care for someone else害羞草研究所檚 dog, whether you like it or not.害羞草研究所�

Boothman was able to find the man害羞草研究所檚 mother on Facebook, and began messaging the woman害羞草研究所檚 friends.

The man called her on Sunday morning and assured he would deliver the dog immediately. She said he admitted he had seen the news she was searching for her pet.

害羞草研究所淢y heart kind of goes out to him. I think he was well intentioned, but when he saw all the posts and everything and how desperately I was searching for him, he should have stepped forward a lot earlier than now,害羞草研究所� Boothman said.

害羞草研究所淏ecause that害羞草研究所檚 actually very negatively impacted my life. But, none of that matters right now.害羞草研究所�

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Once she has him back, she said she plans to take immediate steps to ensure she does not lose him again.

害羞草研究所淭he first thing I害羞草研究所檓 going to do when I get a vet appointment is get my dog microchipped.害羞草研究所�

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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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