A puppy with a missing paw who was abandoned in a carrier bag on Christmas Eve is this year facing a very different Christmas – opening presents with his new best friend who he helped to recover from a motorcycle accident.

The young pup was found by a dog walker on 24 December (2023) in a car park at Tottenham Marshes in London. The kind passerby took the brindle bull terrier-type to safety and the RSPCA was alerted to investigate.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Nicola Thomas 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.

“It must have been a very frightening and bewildering experience for him and it’s just very sad to see a young dog being heartlessly cast aside and left in circumstances like this, especially on Christmas Eve.”

The officer launched an investigation and Dougie was taken to the RSPCA’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital for treatment and care over the Christmas period.

Emma Yelland was on duty when he was brought in. She said: “Poor Dougie was a tiny little thing, only a few months old, and was very confused and quiet.

“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.

“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.”

He was then moved to RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre, in Dorset, where he built up his strength before undergoing surgery to have his deformed back leg amputated. He recovered in a foster home with Animal Care Assistant, Hollie Jones, and her dog, Lulu, for five weeks before beginning his search for a new home.

Hollie said: “Dougie really looked up to Lulu and learned from her. Puppies are really impressionable and those early weeks and months are really important for their development so it was great that he could spend time with Lulu and learn so much from her, instead of being in kennels.

“He enjoyed snoozing in the office at Ashley Heath while I worked during the day and was an excellent assistant to Nicola, our kennel supervisor!”

Kindred spirits

In February, he started his search for a forever home and it wasn’t long until mental health support worker Kirstin Douglas and her son, Craig, 27, a quality assurance engineer, spotted his profile online.

Kirstin, 49, from Bournemouth, said: “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?

“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.

“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!”

Join the Christmas Rescue

This Christmas should be a happy time for all, including the animals who share our lives. Cats will spend long winter nights curled up by our side. Dogs will play with wrapping paper. Some animals will even receive their own special Christmas presents.

But without urgent action, not every animal will be as lucky. While the nation prepares to celebrate Christmas, far too many animals are being left to suffer. Puppies are starving behind closed doors. Cats are being left with no one to care for them.

Can it really be a happy Christmas when so many animals are still suffering?

Right now, too many animals are facing the worst times of their lives. Over the Christmas period, we receive over 25,000 reports of animal suffering – including more than 700 on Christmas Day. That’s why we can’t stop for Christmas. As long as any animal is suffering, we will keep going to reach and rescue them.

We must work together to make it a happy Christmas for every kind. We’re calling on everyone who believes that no animal should be left to suffer this Christmas to donate today.

Together with you, our animal rescue teams will bring animals to the safety and warmth of RSPCA Animal Centres. You’ll be supporting our veterinary teams, working tirelessly to give animals the urgent treatment that will save their lives. And you’ll be by the side of expert centre staff who give animals the loving care they need to recover.

So please, join the Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals. For thousands of terrified and injured animals, we’ll turn the worst suffering into the best Christmas yet – because it will be the one where their lives change forever, and the start of many happier Christmases to come.

🎄 Join the Christmas Rescue by donating online rspca.org.uk/jointherescue.