A Letterkenny family is overjoyed to be reunited with their beloved dog Ronnie following a six-day search.

Runaway Ronnie had a huge adventure all around the town after going missing from the Oldtown area on Saturday last.

The six-year-old Springer x Cocker Spaniel is a rescue and is very shy, which meant that he fled from any helpful stranger who was trying to catch him.

The local community rallied around the Higgins family to help trace their pet, but he was simply too fast on his paws.

But Ronnie’s owners Tina and Kieran never gave up searching every street, field and alley where he was sighted. The sightings were plentiful too – and the search spread from Oldtown to Mountain Top, from Glencar to Kiltoy.

Ronnie was eventually spotted last night in Oldtown and, when called, he jumped into Kieran’s car, happy to go home.

There were lots of cuddles and celebrations as he was reunited with his family and his younger doggy brother Beau. He’ll be going to the vet for a check-up soon, but he appears to be in good form after getting a much-needed bath.

Celebrations for Tina and family as Ronnie returns home

The family has shared immense gratitude with every single person who helped find Ronnie.

Tina, a local schoolteacher and a member of the Letterkenny Music and Drama Group, says there could well be a play written about Ronnie’s adventures!

“My heart is bursting with the love of people in Letterkenny and outside Letterkenny. People are so good and I’m so blessed to have amazing friends,” she said.

“We are totally grateful to the people who went out of their way to search for Ronnie, to provide equipment, coffees and advice to us to help track him down. Ultimately he found his own way home.”

Ronnie, Tina and Beau reunited again

The Higgins’ joy at being reunited with their beloved pet was felt by many who had followed the search effort and sent prayers and well wishes for his safe return.

Welcome home Ronnie!