The family of a pair of handsome miniature schnauzers were distraught when they disappeared in thick fog while on a walk in the hills.
They thought they would never see Charlie and Theo again - until the pair scampered back when they smelled sizzling sausages.
Owners Liz and Graham Hampson launched a rescue campaign and contacted mountain rescue teams, friends and family.
More than 120 people and two drones answered the call to find the stranded pooches on the Red Pike fell near Buttermere, Cumbria.
After 96 hours of searching, as a last resort the family decided to cook sausages at the spot where the dogs were last seen.
The two had even camped out overnight, calling the names of the dogs.
Mr and Mrs Hampson were shocked and thrilled when moments later, their beloved pets appeared.
Mrs Hamson said: "When they first appeared it was like a mirage. I could not believe it was them.
"My husband ran up the hill to grab them as I was just shaking and crying. I could not function.
"The dogs are just gorgeous, and they are part of our family. It would be horrible not to have them around.
"They absolutely love sausages. They have them every Sunday for breakfast, so if there was one food they were going to come back for, it was sausages.