A Glasgow man has thanked the unlikely friendship between his two dogs and pet squirrel for saving his life.
Richard Stark, from Springburn , hit rock bottom two years ago when he split from his wife and said it wasn't until he got his beloved animals that his life had purpose again.
Pomeranian's Starsky and Hutch and squirrel Huggy Bear should be enemies but owner Richard said the bond the unusual trio have formed in recent weeks is 'unbreakable'.
He added: "They're my absolute world. They've given me purpose again. The three of them get on great. It's amazing to watch."
Prior to getting his pets 45-year-old Richard, who suffers with mental health problems, attempted to take his own life several times.
He said: "I was in such a bad way. I honestly don't know how I'm still alive.
"I tried to commit suicide so many times.
"It wasn't until the police suggested that I get some company to make myself feel better that I decided to buy Starsky and Hutch.
"I had to take a bank loan out to get them. Hutch was £900 and Skarsky was £500. They were worth every penny."
Richard was bullied when he was younger and was seriously assaulted by a group of teenagers.
He suffered a broken tail bone and has been unable to work since.
He added: "I'm not fit to work. Some days I'm in agony because of my back. Luckily the park is just outside my house so I get to take the dogs out for a walk and I have met a lot of new friends there.
"It was over there we found Huggy Bear. My friend found him lying at the bottom of a tree. His mum and dad had been killed by a cat. I decided to take him in because the SPCA said he was vernim.
"I didn't want him to be killed. He's settled in with the dogs perfectly. They love him and are all getting on amazingly. It's brilliant. They're all best friends now."
