Basil may not be a bloodhound, but he certainly knows how to follow his nose.

Julie Harrison and Joan Scott of Selby Animal Sanctuary, with Basil

The seven-year-old Jack Russell amazed staff at the Selby Animal Sanctuary in Hambleton by showing up on their doorstep a week after they found him a new home in Riccall - more than seven miles away.

The trek from Riccall will have been fraught with dangers for Basil. He would have had to cross the River Ouse, a railway line and a number of small streams on his two-day expedition.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I came out and saw him standing there," said Joan Scott, the sanctuary's owner. "I thought I was hallucinating."

Basil was taken in by Joan last July after his owner was admitted to hospital. He became one of the family at the sanctuary, and was a particular favourite of Joan's, until he was adopted by a family living in Riccall.

"I got a phone call from the family on Monday saying he was missing," said Joan. "And I had a feeling he might show up."

Joan went out and bought Basil some chicken - his favourite - and even dug a hole under the perimeter fence so he could get in. "I'm not quite sure why I did it. I know it sounds daft, but I had some sort of premonition.

"When you have worked with animals for as long as I have, you get a sixth sense for these things."

It was a joyful reunion for Basil and the staff at the sanctuary, who were spoiling him rotten before returning him to his new owners.

see COMMENT 'Stay Basil, stay'

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