A dramatic mission to trace a rescue dog missing for five weeks had a happy ending at the weekend with a dedicated and determined pet lover being reunited with the animal.
A hi-tech hunt involved a swim across turbulent waters, firemen, a night-vision camera and a female mastermind hundreds of miles away telling Hazel MacIver when to make the snatch.
The shaggy dog story not only captured the hearts of Highlanders but animal lovers across the nation with hundreds following the search online.
Gordon was reunited with his heroine and foster mother, 57-year-old Hazel MacIver from Inverness, who had refused to give up.
She had even braved the swollen waters of the River Ness herself in a bid to retrieve the dog who had swum across to a small island.
Firefighters tried to rescue the animal from the river and eventually had to pluck Ms MacIver from danger.
Members of the public recruited by a social media campaign had joined the search for the black brindle coated canine.
On Friday night, Gordon was finally recovered, hiding out in the nearby Tomnahurich Cemetery on the west side of Inverness.
Ms MacIver fostered Gordon, who was rescued from Romania and taken into care by the Silver Fox Dog Rescue organisation. He was fostered out until being adopted but she has decided to keep him.
“To turn around and hand him over after what we have been through doesn’t seem right,” she said.
Gordon escaped off his lead while walking the nearby public park after a car backfired and plunged into the river.
A couple of days later he was spotted on a small island, opposite a fisherman’s hut by passerby Douglas Mackay, who knew of the hunt. Realising it was Gordon, he volunteered to wade across to try and retrieve him.
But Gordon was panicked and managed to evade being caught.
The Scottish SPCA obtained a boat but its attempt was fruitless. Ms MacIver then opted to obtain a boat herself and was taken onto the island, intent on staying for as long as it took.
However, with heavy rain forecast, the fire service decided it was too risky for her to stay and plucked her from the island instead.
Ms MacIver said: “It was my heart ruling my head and the fire service did the right thing. Now that I have Gordon back, it’s all been worth it.
“I also have to thank all the other people, Kaye Wickes from Wales, a dog whisperer type who knows the habits of Romanian street dogs well who was instrumental in getting Gordon back although she is hundreds of miles away.”
