Heartwarming video footage shows the moment two dog owners were reunited with their pet after she was cruelly stolen six years ago.
Simon Hall, 50, and wife Caroline, 48, were devastated when their cocker spaniel Bonnie was stolen in May 2014.
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After giving up hope of ever seeing their beloved pooch ever again, earlier this week they had a huge surprise when Simon received a call from a dog warden, saying she had been found in a park on 19 November.
Simon and Caroline, from Durham, were eventually reunited with Bonnie the day before her 10th birthday - 200 miles from home in Norfolk, no less.
Caroline said: "We just can't believe it. It was only a couple of years ago that I gave up hope but I was still checking all the lost dog sites.
"It's all a bit surreal.
"I'd prepared myself for the fact she might look in a bad way but actually she's looking quite well. I know the vets have taken wonderful care of her."
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Caroline added that Bonnie had a 'beautiful character' recalling how she would sit pitch-side until their young son Robbie finished playing rugby.
It is believed that Bonnie had been stolen to breed, with Terrington St John Veterinary Centre - where she underwent a hysterectomy yesterday - saying it's thought her most recent litter was born within the last two months.
Simon said: "Gosh knows what she's been through. It doesn't bear thinking about but at least we can get her back for a few more years and give her a bit of love and care and attention."
Fenland District Council dog warden Caroline Trigg, who also runs Ravenswood Pet Rescue at Walton Highway said it felt 'wonderful' to be able to reunite Bonnie with her owners.
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"With missing dogs, sometimes they go in the morning and are back in the afternoon - or a couple of days at most," Trigg said.
"I've never known a dog to have been gone this long before.
"I think Bonnie's had a hard time with the breeding side. Someone has made a lot of money out of her, which is very sad. And she has clearly never been to a vet's over those six-and-a-half years or her chip would have been read.
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"But being able to get her back to her loving home is wonderful - just the good news we need this year."
The Halls' 21-year-old daughter Katie also joined them for the beautiful reunion - which the family say may never have happened if Bonnie hadn't been microchipped.
"We'll now take her back home and introduce her to our other dog, Jessie, and just have a quiet night in front of the fire," Caroline said.
"I think her birthday will be a quiet one too."
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: UK News, News, Animals, Dogs