A puppy who spent last Christmas Eve in a carrier bag is celebrating the big day in a very different way this year.
Dougie was found on 24 December last year inside a carrier bag in a car park at Tottenham Marshes in the capital by a dog walker.
The poor pup was in a bad way.
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Alongside being underweight, he also had part of his paw and rear leg missing.
Nicola Thomas, an RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, said: “Poor Dougie was deliberately abandoned tied in a carrier bag.
“He was underweight, frightened and was missing his paw and part of his rear leg which we believe to be caused by a birth defect.”
The RSPCA launched an investigation and over Christmas, Dougie the dog was treated at the charity’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital.
Emma Yelland, who was on duty said: “Poor Dougie was a tiny little thing, only a few months old, and was very confused and quiet.”
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After consideration from the staff, it was decided that the hound would have a better stab at life without his troubled back leg.
She continued: “He could get around well without using his back left leg where the whole paw was missing.
“We decided he’d cope better on three legs so, in January, he came back to us to have the leg amputated.
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“The surgery went well and Dougie bounced back from the trauma of it all.
“It was wonderful to see him looking so much happier and on the road to finding a new home.”
After having the successful surgery, Dougie was moved to another RSPCA facility in Dorset where he regained strength after his big operation.
He then stayed with Hollie Jones, an animal care assistant and her dog Lulu.
After staying with a foster family for five weeks, the search for a new owner commenced.
As luck would have it, Kirstin Douglas, 49 and her son Craig, 27 spotted Dougie online.
And, the stars seemed to align as Craig, a quality assurance engineer and the pup had one massive factor in common – they both had undergone leg surgery, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Kirstin, from Bournemouth, explained: “My son, Craig, was involved in a motorcycle accident in November 2023 and needed surgery after suffering from a serious leg injury.
“He was recovering and working from home so the hunt for a doggy companion began.
“A puppy hadn’t really been in our plans but, who could resist Dougie?”
And, their bond over surgery isn’t the only thing they share.
Their names also align.
She continued: “Craig was lucky not to lose his leg, but Dougie wasn’t so lucky.
“With our surname being Douglas, it felt like it was meant to be and Dougie was meant to join our family.
“Craig and Dougie made a fine hoppy pair initially and they bonded as they both recovered from their surgeries; they’re kindred spirits.”
And now, they can’t imagine life without each other.
Kirstin added: “Dougie has adapted so well to life on three legs and Craig is making a fabulous recovery.
“I’m sure Dougie has helped him with his rehabilitation.
“We love him to bits.”
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