FOR stray dogs on the streets in Thailand the future is often bleak, but one lucky pup can be guaranteed a happy future after being rescued by a kind-hearted Stourbridge couple.

Yvonne Porter and Chris Amor forked out £600 to save street dog Molly who was found at eight weeks old with severe burns to her face and legs trying to survive on the tropical island of Phuket.

The black and white pup was taken to Phuket rescue charity Soi Dog, where she was nursed back to health, and when dog lover Yvonne spotted her on the organisation’s website she was smitten.

The 52-year-old from Norton, who works in event management, decided she wanted to adopt the misfortunate mutt immediately but has had to wait six months before finally being able to meet her.

After a spell in quarantine, two flights from Phuket to Holland, a ferry ride to Harwich in Essex and a three-hour car journey back to the Midlands – Molly has now settled in with Yvonne and her partner Chris and their two cats.

Yvonne told the News: “I must be mad, but she’s beautiful. Her temperament is very nice. She loves the cats but they don’t like her. Everything’s so new to her.

“She had never been in a house before or used stairs. We are missing many socks and slippers and half a door, but she is worth it.”

She described the wait for Molly’s arrival, which was delayed by nine hours, as “ever so emotional” and added: “It’s like having a child. She’s such a lovely little thing but she’s not so little now, she’s going to be a rather big dog.”

Yvonne said she had previously visited the Soi Dog shelter and rehoming centre while holidaying in Phuket.

The charity, founded by a retired British couple, has taken in and treated thousands of neglected and homeless animals since it was set up in 2003 - including many mutts it has saved from being slaughtered to feed Asia’s booming canine meat markets.

Yvonne said no-one knows exactly how Molly came by her burns and she added: “I don’t know if she went in a fire or if it was hot oil. She would have been just a pup on the streets scrounging for food.”

But she said she’s delighted to have been able to give her a new life and added: “She’s a very lucky dog. She’s got a bit of scarring on her face but her burns have healed and the vet said she’s really healthy. We’re now juggling our life around her.”

She said Soi Dog is holding a fun day/reunion for all its UK dog rescuers and their four-legged friends in Ross-on-Wye next month and she added: “We’re hoping there’ll be around 300 dogs there and hopefully Molly will see her friends again.”

To find out more about the charity go to https://www.soidog.org/