AN emotional reunion has proved there is no stronger relationship than that between one man and his dog.

A North Yorkshire man, who had given up hope of ever seeing his pet again, found her 18 months later by sheer coincidence.

It was during a visit to his local dog kennels to find a replacement that he set eyes on his long lost Molly once again.

Mike Wallis, of Sandhutton, had lost his brindle mongrel in March 2000 when, during a strained period of his marriage, his former wife said Molly had wandered off with no trace.

Unbeknown to Mr Wallis, his dog was taken to Jay Gee sanctuary for dogs, in Catton, Thirsk, to be rehomed. Over the next 18 months, three-year old Molly was looked at by hundreds of families, but never chosen.

Mr Wallis said: "I just assumed Molly was gone forever and had to put her disappearance to the back of my mind. When I was on my own, I missed her terribly."

But recently he decided it was time to bring some new life into his home.

"I looked around a number of dog homes before going to the Jay Gee's and it wasn't until I got to the end of the kennels that I saw Molly. It took a few moments to take it all in. There was a lump in my throat, I was shocked."

Despite loosing her family home 18 months ago and seeing countless families reject her, Molly ran straight to Mr Wallis with her eyes sparkling and tail wagging. Debbie Plant, a kennel assistant, said: "She clearly had not forgotten him - I have seldom seem a dog so happy as she was that day. That's what really makes our job worthwhile."

Now Molly is back at home and rarely lets Mr Wallis out of the house without her. "I am really grateful to the girls at Jay Gee's, they have done more than what is expected of them!"