A Suffolk woman has been reunited with her beloved dog after a five-day ordeal in which she held a burial, thinking the body to be her spaniel Maisie.

On Saturday, November 5, Codie Hutton, 26, was driving through Woodbridge when she decided to stop off to give her dog a quick comfort break.

Miss Hutton opened the car door to put her nine-year-old springer spaniel Maisie on the lead when a firework went off across the road - completely out of the blue.

East Anglian Daily Times: The following photo was publicised on social media to aid Miss Hutton in the search for Maisie.The following photo was publicised on social media to aid Miss Hutton in the search for Maisie. (Image: Codie Hutton)

"She just bolted. Straight out of the car," said Miss Hutton.

"It was still early, so I wasn't expecting any fireworks and I was only letting her out for a quick walk on the lead.

"Just like that, she was gone."

Within three hours, a search committee was out looking with Miss Hutton believing Maisie might finish with a stick she'd been chewing and pop her head out of a bush.

However, as she started to receive sightings along the main road from Melton to Ufford, Miss Hutton realised that her dog could be in grave danger.

"Someone saw her get clipped by a car, which was a blessing in disguise as she wasn't hurt and it altered her course away from the A12," Miss Hutton said.

However, as the night wore on, her anxiety grew - Maisie was alone, cold and frightened somewhere in the darkness.

East Anglian Daily Times: Maisie was sighted in multiple locations across the five days she was missing.Maisie was sighted in multiple locations across the five days she was missing. (Image: Google Maps)

After a long day of searching on Sunday, Miss Hutton and her father decided to camp out in the last field Maisie had been spotted in.

On Monday morning, they received the call they had been dreading - a flattened body had been found.

"We were convinced from the tail and markings on the legs that it was her," said Miss Hutton.

"A microchip couldn't be found, but we accepted and made peace with her death."

They buried the body at their home in Crowfield, wrapped in Maisie's bed and with a picture of her and Miss Hutton's three-year-old son Taylen together.

East Anglian Daily Times: a pictureMiss Hutton's three-year-old son Taylen with Maisie.a pictureMiss Hutton's three-year-old son Taylen with Maisie. (Image: Codie Hutton)

"I told Taylen she was a star in doggy heaven now. It was devastating," she said.

On Wednesday morning, the impossible happened.

Miss Hutton received a call saying someone had spotted Maisie.

The vet hadn't been entirely convinced the flattened body had been Maisie's, saying the paws looked like they belonged to a fox - the search resumed.

The next afternoon, on Thursday, November 10, a dog was captured by a couple near Wickham Market Primary School.

After five days of searching tirelessly day and night, Miss Hutton raced towards their garden in disbelief.

East Anglian Daily Times: After five days, Maisie was reunited with Miss Hutton.After five days, Maisie was reunited with Miss Hutton. (Image: Codie Hutton)

She spotted Maisie in her father's hands and fell to the ground with her arms wide open.

Unable to contain her excitement, Maisie was wiggling and whimpering to be reunited with her beloved owner.

"I thought she was gone. I thought I was never going to see her again. I still couldn't believe it was my Maisie," she said.

Three-year-old Taylen was reunited with her soon afterwards and immediately tried to put his Captain America onesie on her to warm her up.

Though tired and hungry, Maisie remained relatively unharmed and managed to escape the ordeal with only a mild infection to tell the tale.

East Anglian Daily Times: Maisie was given a full check-up free of charge by the team at Saxon Vets.Maisie was given a full check-up free of charge by the team at Saxon Vets. (Image: Codie Hutton)

Over the course of five days and sightings in Melton, Bredfield, Helmingham, and Wickham Market, Maisie covered more than 17 miles. 

Since her dramatic escapade came to a close, Maisie has been enjoying all the comforts of the high life, including a new ball to play with, plenty of tasty chews and a pooch pamper session gifted by local business Fluff and Buff.

With the sleepless nights behind her, Miss Hutton could finally reply to the thousands of messages she had received to aid her in the search.

One particular hero of the operation was Manningtree local Sam French, who runs the voluntary group FIDO for lost dogs.

East Anglian Daily Times: A bulletin board advertising Maisie's disappearance, made by voluntary organisation FIDO for lost dogs.A bulletin board advertising Maisie's disappearance, made by voluntary organisation FIDO for lost dogs. (Image: Codie Hutton)

Having helped over 2,000 dogs in the past, Ms French was there from day one with bulletin boards, food traps and cameras to aid Maisie's safe return.

Miss Hutton is now fundraising to help the group buy more equipment and repay the kindness they showed to her in her time of need.

With one final message for everyone involved in Maisie's rescue, Miss Hutton added: "I'd like to say a big, huge thank you from myself, my family and, of course, from Maisie."

East Anglian Daily Times: Maisie is now safely at home in a warm bed with her loving family.Maisie is now safely at home in a warm bed with her loving family. (Image: Codie Hutton)