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.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 driving up right now from Victoria to give him back,B次元官网网址� Boothman told the Westerly B次元官网网址 on Sunday afternoon. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really happy. IB次元官网网址檓 ecstatic. I canB次元官网网址檛 believe that IB次元官网网址檓 actually getting him back because itB次元官网网址檚 hard not to give up hope after so long.B次元官网网址�

She sent a photo to the Westerly B次元官网网址 around 5 p.m. of her hugging her returned companion.

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The story of ItskaB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淭he people felt they were caring for the dog,B次元官网网址� said Oak Bay Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties. B次元官网网址淵ou arenB次元官网网址檛 apparently allowed to just care for someone elseB次元官网网址檚 dog, whether you like it or not.B次元官网网址�

Boothman was able to find the manB次元官网网址檚 mother on Facebook, and began messaging the womanB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淢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,B次元官网网址� Boothman said.

B次元官网网址淏ecause thatB次元官网网址檚 actually very negatively impacted my life. But, none of that matters right now.B次元官网网址�

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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.

B次元官网网址淭he first thing IB次元官网网址檓 going to do when I get a vet appointment is get my dog microchipped.B次元官网网址�

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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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