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.

鈥淗e鈥檚 driving up right now from Victoria to give him back,鈥� Boothman told the Westerly 亚洲天堂 on Sunday afternoon. 鈥淚鈥檓 really happy. I鈥檓 ecstatic. I can鈥檛 believe that I鈥檓 actually getting him back because it鈥檚 hard not to give up hope after so long.鈥�

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

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The story of Itska鈥檚 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.

鈥淭he people felt they were caring for the dog,鈥� said Oak Bay Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties. 鈥淵ou aren鈥檛 apparently allowed to just care for someone else鈥檚 dog, whether you like it or not.鈥�

Boothman was able to find the man鈥檚 mother on Facebook, and began messaging the woman鈥檚 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.

鈥淢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,鈥� Boothman said.

鈥淏ecause that鈥檚 actually very negatively impacted my life. But, none of that matters right now.鈥�

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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.

鈥淭he first thing I鈥檓 going to do when I get a vet appointment is get my dog microchipped.鈥�

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andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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