Riverside family reunited with lost dog Ruby

The Gibson family were left devastated when their beloved dog Ruby, a three-year-old red smooth coat Griffon Bruxellois went missing last week. Ruby's disappearance was particularly heartbreaking for David Gibson.

Battling a brain tumour and undergoing treatment, Ruby was a source of comfort and companionship for Mr Gibson and the rest of the family during a difficult time.

Devastatingly, Ruby was at Stillwater with Mr Gibson when she went missing last week.

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"He was so worried, and it worried me because of the stress on him at the moment with his health. He's been there with me searching every step of the way and is just so relieved," wife Sonya Gibson said.

The Launceston community rallied around the family, with community members helping search for Ruby and reaching out via social media to lend their support or give advice. On Thursday afternoon, just as hope had begun to dwindle, Ruby was spotted by a community member near Tamar Marine who then called Mrs Gibson.

"So, we split up and went down the trails and I think when she heard my voice she must've come out of hiding," Mrs Gibson said.

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"I felt something hit the back of my leg and I looked down and there she was."

Considering the freezing overnight temperatures of the last week, Ruby's survival is something that her family considers to be a miracle.

"I don't know how such a little dog survived for eight days in minus one [degrees Celsius], we're very proud of her survival skills," she said.

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Despite some weight loss and a few ticks, Ruby is in perfect health and is back where she belongs - sleeping in Mr and Mrs Gibson's bed and barking at the neighbours.

"I have no words, it's just amazing," Mrs Gibson said.

"I just can't stop looking at her."