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But the beloved 14-year-old pooch is now back home in Walker after being rescued by firefighters from Hebburn Marina six days later. Mr Knowles, 56, said: "I got a phone call from my

niece Rachel saying Toby had been found in Hebburn. "I just got myself so worked up and excited, I could not wait to get him home. "It was like my birthday and Christmas all rolled

together." Mr Knowles has owned both Toby and fellow border collie Cassie, 10, since they were puppies. Toby went missing at about 7.30pm on January 17, and is believed to have escaped

through a door which had not been closed properly. Distraught owner Mr Knowles launched a desperate search into the early hours of the following morning, but found no sign of Toby. He said:

"It wasn't until a little later I realised he was not in the house. It's the first time he's ever wandered off on his own. "I was worried and started to panic, I

didn't know where to look or what to do. "I went out with a friend of mine searching until after midnight in the pouring rain and snow. "The next day, I continued looking for

him we put up posters with Toby's photo on. I was just asking around and searching." A Facebook appeal for Toby was launched shortly afterwards, and went on to be shared by worried

members of the community more than a 1,000 times. Mr Knowles added: "I was very hopeful for a few days, but after that I was starting to think I was never going to get him back."

But on Tuesday afternoon he received a call from his niece Rachel to say a dog had been discovered at Hebburn Marina, in South Tyneside. Firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue

Service were called to the scene shortly after midday and Toby was taken to a nearby vet. The service launched an appeal on social media to track down Toby's owner, and several people

quickly recognised the missing pet from Walker. Speaking from his Walker home after the pair were reunited, Mr Knowles said: "I would like to thank everybody very much for everything

they have done. "Toby has been okay, he has been sleeping a lot of the time but he's worn out after walking for days. "He is a little quiet and has lost a lot of weight, but I

will get him back to his normal self soon."