PHOTO: Woman Reunites With Long Lost Dog

Woman is reunited with long lost dog after three years and finds out it was living just eight miles away from her

• * Dog was living just eight miles from where she went missing
• * Owner had given up all hope over ever seeing her pet dog again
• * Dog was reunited thanks to microchip
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It had been three years since her pet dog had ran away whilst out on a shopping trip, but for all that time, her owner never gave up that her trusty companion might one day come home.

This weekend, what seemed almost impossible, actually happened, as Patty Corbat's dog Olivia, finally showed up.

Her dog was found just eight miles from its original home near the Wellington Mall in Wellington, South Florida.

The dog had disappeared after being left with a dog sitter.

Shoppers and security guards had seen her in the meantime, but nobody could catch the scared, skittish dog until this week.

Saturday was an unforgettable day. 'I had the shock of my life,' she told WPTV.

Pet Haven Pet Rescue called her and said they had found her dog.

Olivia remembered her owner in an instant and as she was let out of the van, the 11-year-old gave her owner a big lick and wagged her tail.

'Oh, I'm so happy to have her back you have no idea,' said Mrs Corbat.

It was a difficult couple of years for her as people would often see the dog and even show her pictures, yet nobody could see to catch her,

She made a home in a field next to the mall, and would take cover under trees.

Officials with Pet Haven say she was found covered in tree sap and feces, emaciated, and had been eating trash and rocks.

'There's no way. I can't imagine her living out there for 3 years with no one feeding her,' said Carole Chapuis with Pet Haven.

Ms. Chapius helped set up a trap to catch the dog, then gave her a bath, and found a microchip in her chest.

Without the chip, Ms Chapius says she would have never made it back to Corbat.

Mrs Corbat says the day also held an extra special meaning for in that she was able to fulfill the wishes of her late husband.

'He said 'if I should go, please, take good care of my Olivia.' And I said ,'you got it.' '

A fund has been set up to raise money for Olivia's medical bills. Donations can be sent to the Riverbridge Animal Hospital in Royal Palm Beach. The phone number is 561-966-1171.