The holidays got a bit brighter recently for a pair of dog owners.

On Dec. 14, a Coquitlam RCMP officer pulled over and arrested the driver of a vehicle on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.

The officer noticed several cell phones and cash in the SUV, as well as a red Shiba Inu dog in the backseat.

Following a hunch, the officer took the dog to the local animal shelter.

Shelter staff scanned the dog's microchip and discovered that the dog, Jackson, had been reported missing Nov. 19.

Jackson was reunited with his owners.