WITHIN a week, the sad story of Rocky, the abandoned, blind rottweiler collie cross, has a happy ending.

After reading about his plight in the Hereford Times, Spencer Malton and Sara Beard from Great Doward, contacted the Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue Centre and offered Rocky a home.

Spencer said: "We saw the piece in the paper on Thursday and we decided there and then that we would offer him a home. We brought him back with us on Friday to see how he would settle in and get on with our other rescue dog, Lucky, and our three cats, and it's like he's been here forever. It's heartbreaking to think someone abandoned him."

On the Saturday, Rocky's new owners took him to the Spring Companion dog show in Glewstone to get him microchipped and he was recognised by many people at the show as being the dog featured in the Hereford Times.

After a little persuasion he was entered into a couple of classes, and went on to win Best Rescue Dog and Best Non Pedigree in show.

Delighted Spencer added: "It was fantastic and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Everybody made such a big fuss of him. I am thinking of creating a website so people can find out how he is doing."

Carol Smith, founder of Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue said: "It's stories like Rocky's that make it all worthwhile. Who would believe that within a week a dog would go from being abandoned to coming first in a dog show?

"We are very proud of Rocky and would like to thank everyone who contacted us offering Rocky a home. Sarah and Spencer will take great care of him. We know he will be well loved for the rest of his life."