A FAMILY'S heartbreak has ended after they had almost given up hope of seeing their beloved dog again.

Boisterous Bodie high-tailed it from his Netley home and disappeared into the night without a trace.

When he failed to return Sheila Baker searched everywhere - but failed to find anyone who had seen the 15-month-old Paterdale terrier.

But that all changed when Sheila put a lost pet advertisement in the columns of the Daily Echo.

A woman who had seen the advert recognised Bodie's description after spotting a stray dog within a mile of his Grange Road home.

"It was a week since he had gone missing and we had put up notices and searched everywhere without success," said Sheila.

"The lady had seen Bodie near some lakes in the Hamble area and we rushed down and found him. He was so affectionate and very pleased to see us.

"He doesn't seem to want me out of his sight and is obviously very happy to be back," she added.

The Baker family has shown their gratitude by donating £100 to the Daily Echo's charity Leukaemia Busters.

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