SUCCESS STORIES - DOG SHOT BY FARMER - MISSING 8 YEARS - MAY 2012

Kavik was shot by a farmer and ran away eight years ago (Picture: Alexander Lawrie) A pet dog that ran away after being shot by a farmer eight years ago has finally been reunited with his family. Kavik the Malamute-German Shepherd cross disappeared after escaping with his brother Konan from the family home in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in May 2012. Owner Stevie Rodger found both of his dogs in a nearby field full of sheep but was left devastated when an irate farmer shot both animals. Konan died in the field but the injured Kavik bolted, sparking a huge search that went on for months. ADVERTISEMENT Kavik is settling home with the family after his eight-year adventure on the road (Picture: Alexander Lawrie) Despite a thorough search of the local area and a large reward offered for Kavik’s safe return, the dog remained missing, leaving the family shattered by their double loss. But Stevie, partner Sarah Moonie, 45, and his three children are now ‘over the moon’ after Kavik – now 10-years-old – turned up almost 300 miles away in Birmingham. Stevie received a phone call on Tuesday from Lost Dogs Scotland saying an animal matching Kavik’s description was being held at a dog shelter in the city. Stevie, a children’s events manager, drove down to from Scotland the next day and had an emotional reunion with his beloved pet. Kavik was skeletal and several malnourished when he was finally found in Birmingham (Picture: Alexander Lawrie) Stevie, 42, said: ‘I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got the call saying Kavik had been found. ‘He was only 18-months-old when he went missing and to be honest although we looked for him for months I had given up all hope of seeing him again. ‘I sat up all night looking at the picture the dog home sent me thinking “surely not, it just can’t be him”. ‘I jumped in the car in the morning and drove all the way to Birmingham still not sure if it was my boy. Stevie Rodger is reunited with Kavik after eight years apart (Picture: Alexander Lawrie) ‘But when I got there I knew instantly it was him and I just burst into tears. ‘He came running over to me and started licking me like he’d seen me just yesterday. It was a very emotional reunion. ‘I can’t quite believe it’s been more than eight years that he’s been gone but he has settled back in fine.’ Kavik was found in an undernourished state looking for food at a pet store in Birmingham and was taken to the dog home after staff took pity on him. Daughter Chloe, 14, said she was left ‘speechless’ after finally seeing Kavik.