A DOG that was struck down with canine leukaemia has been saved thanks to the generosity of Oxford Mail readers.

Charlie the collie-cross was diagnosed with the disease in January 2013 and her owner Steve Trigg, who was a Big Issue seller at the time, was desperate to raise money to pay for cancer drugs.

After the Dogs Trust paid for the first eight weeks of her treatment, he began to use the little money he had to pay vets’ bills.

But in August, with money running out, he turned to Oxford Mail readers to save the life of Charlie, who he credits with inspiring him to kick a seven-litre-a-day sherry habit three years ago.

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He said: “I was in hospital myself and someone was looking after her and she had not eaten for three days. I thought she would start eating once I got out of hospital, but she didn’t eat for another nine days and she lost a lot of weight.

“I took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with leukaemia.”

Mr Trigg added: “The Oxford Mail letting me put the appeal in the paper was great, it saved her. Otherwise she would have died, she was on her last legs.

“People have come forward and donated about £3,500.

“Everybody has been so generous helping Charlie, It has been an amazing response.”

Mr Trigg, 49, is now living in a room provided by a church in Botley after six years living on the streets, and he now busks for a living.

He quit drinking when Charlie had puppies three years ago so he could look after them better.

Charlie now has the all-clear and Mr Trigg added: “She saved my life and now I have just saved hers. It is a nice story really. I think it is lovely.

“I have had her since she was a pup and she turned five years old on Sunday.

“She is an amazingly brave little dog and very friendly. She was really easy to train. She is really well known in Oxford.”

“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated towards Charlie’s care over the last 22 months and I also want to thank our vet Cameron Forbes at Iffley Vets.”

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