NEARLY three days after going missing, and with hope almost lost, a beloved dog has returned home to its relieved owner who has been “crying with happiness”.

An 11-year-old Hungarian Puli dog named Raven went missing on the morning of Thursday, July 14, after being spooked during a walk around the Queens Park golf course.

Brief sightings of the dog were reported soon after but there was no trace in the time following that, leaving owner Tricia Rutter and her husband “very upset”.

Then, after more than two days without food or water, Tricia was stunned when Raven ran through their front door just before 1am on Sunday (July 17) completely out of the blue.

She told the Echo: “I’ve stopped crying now, but the last few days have been horrible.

“My husband and I had been out looking for her around the golf course with food and some of our clothes for their scent after listening to advice from dog experts.”

With no luck, the pair returned home at around 10.30pm on Saturday, but left the front door open again following advice from dog experts as well as people on social media.

Later, while a deflated Tricia was in bed, her husband heard a noise and looked around to see Raven run through the front door before “dunking her head in a water bowl”.

“I was just amazed,” said Tricia. “The advice given by experts and complete strangers online really worked – I was doubtful at points, but they got it spot on.

“We’re so thrilled and you wouldn’t know anything happened to her. She just smelt of the forest and needed a big drink. It’s such a relief knowing I can go to work tomorrow and be happy knowing she’s safe.

“I’d like to thank everyone who shared the appeal, the Echo, the strangers who gave me advice, the comments of support, everyone. It’s so heart-warming.”