Bronwyn Shute had given up hope of seeing the purebred border collie again, after he went missing from her Owaka property last week.
The 9-year-old dog goes back a long way.
He was with Mrs Shute's pest contractor husband Deane when Mr Shute was crushed and killed by a large rock while he was laying bait at Omarama Station in early 2009.
It was "terrible" to think Rusty had vanished, she said.
"I thought someone had taken him ... I had totally given up on seeing him again."
While family and friends had searched in vain for the beloved pet, it was a tourist who raised the alarm after hearing a faint bark while walking along the Jack's Blowhole Track, in coastal South Otago, shortly before 4pm on Saturday.
Concerned the failing light would prevent Rusty being rescued for another night, the Fire Service was contacted and the Owaka Volunteer Fire Brigade soon arrived.
Deputy Chief Officer Kelly Chambers - a friend of the Shute family - abseiled 60m down the cliff face to discover the usually reserved dog overcome with emotion.
"He just about licked me to death," Mr Chambers said.
With no food or fresh water available at the bottom of the cliff during his nine-day ordeal, Rusty would also have retreated to a higher ledge during each high tide, he said.
"If there were any rough seas, he would have been history," Mr Chambers said.
Rusty, who lost weight but was otherwise unhurt in the incident, was given a dog roll and lots of cuddles from his relieved owner.
"He is as good as gold," Mrs Shute said.
