A couple adopted an elderly dog who was found tethered outside a vet surgery.
After taking her in, they discovered she has cancer – and they’re now trying to fundraise for her treatment.
33-year-old Shirley Findlay and her partner Jonathan Hyslop rescued Lita, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and are now trying to fundraise £1,500 to pay for medical treatment for the ageing pup.
Lita was found tied up with rope outside Abbey Vets in Murdieston Street, Greenock, Inverclyde.
She is thought to be around 15 years old and is deaf, but responds happily to hand signals.
Now living with Jonathan and Shirley, as well as another pet dog Barney and Bubba the tortoise, Lita has been given a new lease of life.
Jonathan said: ‘She is 15 years old and we were devastated that she had been abandoned.
‘We contacted the police, who had the dog in their kennel and we went to retrieve her.
‘Upon arrival the dog was extremely excited to see us.
‘The police, after some proof was provided of our knowledge of the dog, placed her in our care.
‘Since then we have had her each day with her tail waggling away.
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‘She is clearly a happy dog in a loving and caring home.’
Generous donors have so far raised more than £500 to help with the costs of veterinary treatment for Lita, and a woman even left a £50 note at the vets where she was abandoned.
Jonathan added: ‘We are looking for donations to help us pay towards the upcoming treatments and operations as this beautiful old dog deserves to maintain the rest of her days in happiness and content.
‘Even though she is deaf she understands hand gestures and facial expressions very well and is a very outgoing loving dog.
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‘We just want to make the rest of this dog’s life happy and pain-free, so any help is greatly appreciated.’
Shirley said: ‘It was heartbreaking to find out that she had been abandoned.
‘She is a great-natured dog.
‘We were told that she was found outside the vets with a rope tied round her neck.
‘When we took her to the vets they said she has a form of breast cancer for dogs.
‘She’s not sore but we’ve been advised that she should get a blood test and a lung X-ray.
‘After that Lita may get an operation but it all depends on whether the cancer has spread to her lungs.
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‘They can’t operate if it has, so we’ll find out after these tests.’