TWO four-legged brothers who were inseparable as puppies have been reunited thanks to a North Yorkshire animal adoption centre.

Storm and Ice, who are Northern Inuit dogs, formed a strong bond as puppies – but were torn apart in 2008 when their owners became ill and could no longer look after them.

Storm was given to friends and Ice was brought to the Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Thirsk – but it was not long before he was welcomed into the home of the Baume family, who live in the Sutton area of North Yorkshire.

This summer it was the turn of Storm to be brought to the Blue Cross centre after the circumstances of his new owners changed and they could not keep him any more. By a stroke of luck, the Baume family were looking for a new canine companion for Ice and jumped at the chance of reuniting the brothers.

Lyn Raine, animal behaviourist at the Blue Cross centre, said: “We carefully reintroduced the pair and they were immediately ecstatic to see each other, with lots of enthusiastic sniffing and very waggy tails.

“It was brilliant to see them together, being so affectionate and you couldn’t have wished for a better Christmas present for them.”