A devastated Scots couple are picking up the pieces after the 'worst incident of their lives'- when an horrific fire took hold in their home and killed their beloved dog.
Callum Martin, 30, and wife, Melissa, 29, from Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, had gone out for lunch when the blaze took hold at their home.
A neighbour alerted chemist Callum who raced home to see thick black smoke pouring from his house, with his dog Luna inside on August 10.
Firefighters battled to put out the blaze at the couple's home but could not save the Alsatian/Rottweiler cross from the flames.
In the midst of their despair, the couple found they had no insurance due to Callum believing it would renew automatically.
Now along with their grief for their dog they are facing a bill to rebuild their home of at least £35,000.
Callum told the Record: "We had only been out of the house for 20 minutes when we heard the news, we had been going to Peterhead because of the restrictions in Aberdeen.
"My phone went and it was my neighbour saying he could see black smoke coming from the house but he couldn't see Luna.
"I was just trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be that bad and that it would just be the kitchen- but then I got there and it was as bad and I was totally off-guard.
"We would welcome any contracting companies getting in touch with us if they have read what we have gone through and feel compassion and sympathy."
He paid tribute to his 'good and loyal' dog that he had picked up from a rescue centre four years ago.
Callum said: "We are still very much in grieving with Luna.
"She was not the type of dog I thought I would ever get but it really was love at first sight- we definitely hit the jackpot with her.
"It is only really this week that we have started to come to terms with what has happened to the house.
"When it happened all I cared about was Luna."
Pictures show the interior of the destroyed home and the devastating aftermath of the blaze with furniture blackened and ceilings crumbling.
Callum said that the lack of insurance had come as a shock.
He added: "I had thought that it had auto-renewed when I saw the email come in so I parked it.
"We thought we were insured but it was only when we were going through everything that we realised that we weren't.
"It was just another thing to add to everything that had happened.
"The quotes we have been given are huge so we really are so grateful for everyone who has helped."
In response to the tragedy, Callum's brother Luke has started an GoFundMe fundraising page.
Kind-hearted locals have donatated to it in droves- bringing in nearly £11,000 so far.
However with repairs estimated between £35,000 and £60,000 there is still some way to go.
Callum said: "We have been absolutely astounded that so many people have come forward to help.
"The next day after it happened all my friends were gathered outside to just start work on the house, it was really amazing.
"A neighbour came forward with a card with £50 in it and I don't think we have spoken to them before.
"Melissa is holding up as best as she can.
"We have been doing our best and looking after each other, it has all just been such a shock."
"Every penny gets us closer to being home and trying to find some closure in what has happened.
"This has been without a doubt the worst incident of my life but at the same time I have never appreciated my friends and family so much."
