A Kirkgunzeon pensioner has found a new canine companion on the anniversary of her husband’s death.
Margaret Paterson was left bereft when Yorkshire terrier Danny Boy passed away last October.
But thanks to neighbour Kellie Tulloch she has a new doggy friend – 10-year-old Jack Russell Scamp.
Margaret’s husband Cameron died 13 years ago this week – but having Scamp is a real comfort.
Kellie drove to Lincluden to collect the little terrier after seeing a rehoming advert on Facebook.
Margaret told the News: “Kellie is an angel. She told me she had found somebody with a wee dog and asked if I was interested.
“I had thought nothing more of it until Kellie fetched him a few days later.
“The first thing I saw was this wee face and paws at the corner of the door.”
Margaret, 83, still misses Cameron and Danny Boy deeply – but getting a new pet has been a godsend.
“Scamp has kept me on the go and kept me moving,” Margaret said.
“I have yet to hear him bark at anybody.
“He’s such a good wee soul.
“If I go out he’s up on my chair looking out the window until I come back.”
Kellie, 36, knew he was the dog for Margaret the minute she saw him in Dumfries.
She said: “When I went to get Scamp he was so friendly and never barked or anything.
“He jumped straight in the car and looked at me as if to say ‘well, where are we going?’
“I just told him it’s okay – you’re going to a new home. The kids were in the back petting him and he was loving it.”
Kellie, a hairdresser and catering manager, saw a Facebook post by a woman in Lincluden whose mum had passed away.
It said: “Scamp is ten years old, has lived with an elderly lady and a cat all his life.
“He is good with children and likes to play with his ball and loves getting out on walks.
“If you could offer Scamp a loving home please get in touch.”
Kellie said: “Someone mentioned Margaret in a comment because they had seen the story about her losing Danny Boy in the Galloway News.
“So I phoned Margaret to say there’s a wee dog advertised.
“She’s over the moon and is so much happier how that she has a wee friend to talk to. Scamp is spoiled rotten and loving it.”
