Rusty, an eight year old poodle cross Maltese was stolen from his home in Woy Woy in New South Wales nearly three months ago. Against the odds, he was recovered this week from Australia's north, about 4000km (2485 miles) away from home. The dog's owner, who had lost all hope of retrieving Rusty, is delighted.

Owner, Shirley Lowry, had lost all hope of ever finding him again after placing newspaper and radio advertisements following his disappearance. All seemed to be a useless effort. But Darwin City Council animal management officer Colin Roe this week found Rusty roaming the streets in Winnellie, Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

A quick scan found he was micro chipped - and Ms Lowry was contacted.

She said to reporters she couldn't help but shed tears of joy when the council contacted her with the news.

"I couldn't believe where he was. I love him to death and thought I'd never see him again. It is just unbelievable."

"He was spoilt rotten and never left my side. I thought he would have died from fretting by now. I'm just so happy he is coming home,'' she said.

The Darwin City Council has been inundated with congratulatory phone calls ever since Rusty has been found.