A delivery driver who spotted a handwritten note from a bereaved dog owner mourning his Jack Russell with only £30 to spend on a new pet has made it his mission to help.
David MacLeod, 49, is also a dog lover and was struck by the tragic note which was stuck to a lamppost.
It read: “Looking for a small dog for company – lost my dog to cancer – do not feel well without him – a Jack Russell Cairn.”
It had ‘£30’ written on it, which David believes was how much money the pensioner had to spend on a dog.
Dad-of-two David, who works for Iceland, has been delivering to the OAP for nearly six years in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, and described him as ‘caring’.
He has been in touch with rescue centres to try to find a suitable replacement for the beloved pooch, after the man told him he felt ‘unwell’ without his companion.
David said: “I’d seen the gentleman with his Jack Russell running about over the years and you could see how attached he was to his dog.
“It is an absolute shame – all these wee notes started appearing around the village about how he was looking for a new dog.
“I have been delivering to him for almost six years and he is such a nice caring man.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking to read these ads, and I am happy to help with the cost.”
Since posting his plea on his Facebook page, David’s post has gone viral and he has been inundated with offers of help.
He has since been in touch with a number of dog charities about rehoming a rescue dog.
David, from Stevenston, North Ayrshire, said: “I have spoken to the charity Give a Dog a Bone and they have a couple of rescue dogs which may be suitable.
“The response I have received from the public has been absolutely amazing.
“It will definitely improve the man’s quality of life – and it’s so good to see how much people care.
“The other good thing is that folk in the community have been phoning him and keeping in touch – it is unbelievable the amount of interest there has been.
“I hope we can have a happy ending.
“It would bring a smile to his face – and I am sure he will be delighted.
“I am going to leave it to the dog organisations I’ve been in touch with to choose the right pet, as I know they have experience pairing dogs with elderly people who suffer from loneliness.
“It will be great to see my customer with a new wee companion.”
