Fred the dog, a seven-year-old kugsha malamute, was found with his deceased owner near Nanaimo, B.C. (Courtesy Lynda Roy)A unique family reunion is expected to take place at a Montreal-area train station Tuesday night as Fred the dog will be reunited with the family of his deceased owner following a five-day long journey across Canada.

Former Montrealer Cyril Roy saved the seven-year-old kugsha malamute from a pound when he was just a puppy and the two were inseparable as they criss-crossed the country together.

The dog was found with his owner in a trailer near Nanaimo, B.C., on Nov. 30, three days after Roy had succumbed to heart failure from diabetes.

Roy's siblings had hoped to bring Fred back to Montreal, since he was all that they had left to remember their brother.

But, because of his large size, and the cold temperature the family was unable to have Fred shipped to Montreal by plane.

In the meantime, Fred was cared for by officials at a local pound.

Finally, Beaconsfield, Que., resident Frank Palumbo volunteered to pay for airfare for his wife, Mélanie Pellerin, and her friend, Christianne Hendershot, to accompany Fred back by train.

Mélanie Pellerin and Fred the dog on their journey to Montreal. (Courtesy Lynda Roy)

"This was just basically we saw something, saw a situation, you know read the paper you want to go out there [and] say, 'Listen, can I do something?'" Palumbo said.

Via Rail came forward with free tickets for the group.

The reunion will be an emotional one, said Roy's sister Lynda.

"He's not just a dog," Roy said. “He really is like a family member."

Roy said putting Fred up for adoption was never an option.

"You don't put up the kid for adoption," Roy said.

Fred is expected to arrive at the Dorval train station around 9 p.m. Tuesday.