When Diana Darlington's beloved husband Roy passed away last year, she made the tough decision to leave their memory-filled home to move closer to family.
But moving from Kent to Cheshire meant she also had to say a heartbreaking goodbye to her dog Jak, who had been a gift from Roy 10 years ago.
The 82-year-old left the Bichon-Lakeland terrier mix with a relative who lived more than 200 miles away, which meant she didn't get to see him very often.
After hearing the story, staff at her care home hatched a plan to find him a local home so she would still get to see him.
And before long employee Claire Dunnett's sister, Sarah Roberts, came to the rescue and adopted him - and Diana and Jak have now been reunited.
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Diana had the surprise of her life when she was told by staff at Redwalls Nursing Home, Sandiway, Cheshire, that they had found Jak a home nearby.
Now with Jak being so close, he is able to pop in and see Diana every few days.
Diana, retired hotel owner, said: "I couldn't believe it. It's a miracle. Jak leapt up at me from the door and jumped on me and we had cuddles and kisses.
"It's just like old times."
Regional activities coordinator Jodie Solaiman, 26, and relatives had seen how distraught Diana was at being so far away from her 10-year-old dog and put out a plea to rehome him somewhere local.
Luckily local Sarah Roberts jumped at the chance to make a difference and travelled to pick him up from Kent the next day.
Sarah said: "As soon as I heard about Jodie looking to home Jak closer to Diana I just thought, 'I'll have him. I'm local so I can pop to Redwalls any time and the difference it will make to Diana is immeasurable!'
"So much so, my children and I travelled to Kent the next day to collect Jak and the reunion was so happy and emotional that I knew I had made the right decision."
Diana was very surprised when she found out the news.
"When I told Diana that we'd found Jak a home just five minutes away she couldn't believe it," Jodie said. "She was in tears with happiness."
Jodie also managed to capture the moment the pair were reunited for the first time in over a year.
An excited Jak jumps up onto Diana's lamp straight away after seeing her.
Diana said: "We fell asleep together after. I needed him. He got me through so much."
Now Jak is able to come into see Diana two to three times a week.
Jodie said: "It's made such a difference to her mood. She's putting make-up on again.
She has a dog bed in her room for him when he comes to visit.
"It's been amazing seeing the change in her. I just feel so lucky," Diana said.
"I'm so grateful for Redwalls for letting this happen."
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