Scruffy the abandoned Wheaten terrier has fallen on his paws after an article in Hawke's Bay Today attracted the attention of Hastings man Alasdair Gordon-Couston.
The one-year-old dog was found by Central Hawke's Bay SPCA staff just after Christmas dumped under the Waipawa Bridge. The terrier had patchy flea-bitten fur and
sores on his feet and nose.
"I saw his picture and thought what a scruffy little fellow and that he would make a good companion for my labrador-cross, Jess," Mr Gordon-Couston said.
"I went to see him at the SPCA and he had ribs you could play a tune on. He looked so mournful and pitiful, his head was down and his tail between his legs."
Today, Scruffy has settled into his new home nicely - he has put on weight, is much more social and has found a new hobby.
"He's been helping me with the gardening. He's already dug up a daphne plant and tipped over a pot of petunias."
Mr Gordon-Couston said it was good having the two dogs to entertain one another.
"In the back of my mind, I wanted another dog before I saw Scruffy. Because of my job as a teacher I am away all day and I thought it might be nice for Jess."
