THE sad story of stray dog Doris, who may only have weeks to live, has a happy ending.

The ten-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross has leukaemia. But she has found a home after an appeal in The Northern Echo.

Staff at the Dogs Trust were keen she found the right home to live out her days in comfort.

The charity's centre at Sadberge, near Darlington, was deluged with calls from people across the North-East willing to look after her, but unfortunately none was suitable for Doris's special needs.

But last Thursday, veterinary nurse Barbara Drysdale visited the centre to run an animal first aid course and fell in love with the affectionate animal.

Ms Drysdale, 36, had not had a dog for three years and was not looking for another pet, but she could not resist the stray who was found on the streets in Stockton in March.

She took Doris back to her home in Edinburgh the same day.

"She's settled in very well. She's on the sofa right now, looking very pleased with herself," she said yesterday.

"She's really good, I have three cats and she isn't at all interested in them.

"She's eating really well and I'm hoping to get her to put some weight on, because at the moment she's very thin, but we don't know if that's due to the leukaemia or because she's been a stray."

Ms Drysdale has 15 years' experience looking after sick animals.

Sue Embleton, assistant manager at the centre, said: "We're thrilled to have found Doris the right home, where she will be loved," she said.