A New Zealand police dog had an emotional reunion, licking and bounding on his handler, after it went missing for a week in the Tararua Ranges, a mountainous area about 70 miles from the capital Wellington.
The German Shepherd named Thames became separated from Constable Mike Wakefield during a search-and rescue team exercise on May 3.
"I'm really really happy to see my dog and I think he's pretty happy to see me," Wakefield said Sunday in a video distributed by the police department. The dog wolfed down half a Salami sandwich after reuniting with his owner. "I was just lost for words.”
Thames had a vet check Monday and was found to be in good shape, other than being skinnier after 7 days foraging in the mountain tops.
He and Wakefield will take a few weeks leave before returning to active duty, the police said.
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— Seán Federico-O'Murchú
