THE dog house is a thing of the past for jinxed pet Sam who, since being featured in the BEN as "disillusioned with life", has had his faith in the human race restored.

The small labrador cross, who has had four separate homes in his short life, was so downcast that he had taken to staying "indoors" rather than face visitors to the RSPCA kennels and risk the inevitable disappointment which seemed follow.

Sam had been an innocent victim, returned to the kennels each time through no fault of his own, and volunteer worker Margaret Riley was desperate that he did not spend the rest of his life there.

Her appeal in the BEN on Sam's behalf did not go unnoticed and within days Colin and Joan Smith, from Adlington, had stepped forward.

Joan who, after losing her two poodles, had claimed she would never have another dog, sympathised with Sam's predicament.

She said: "We put his picture up on the fridge with the words 'Poor Sam' on it.

"I am nearly 63 and did not want a pup so Sam was ideal."

Although Sam cried on his first few nights in his new home, he has since settled in as one of the family - even managing to accept the Smiths' budgie.

Joan said: "He is a good dog who likes to be near us all the time. He seems happier now and follows me wherever I go."

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