A COUNTRY boy with bags of personality is looking for a loving home in Somerset.

A COUNTRY boy with bags of personality is looking for a loving home in Somerset.

Bob the golden collie was taken in by Draycott-based animal charity Dogs Friends after his family moved away.

Bob, who is thought to be about five years old, was a stray in Ireland. He was taken in by a family who then moved to Wales. A few years later when they decided to move back to Ireland, they did not take Bob with them.

The golden collie, who has little white socks, is one of hundreds of dogs taken in by the charity each year.

In November the Somerset Mercury featured the story of Len, a lonely Labrador looking for love. Len is still hunting for a home, as his wish for a new family to play with at Christmas didn't come true.

Animal rescuer Rosemary Peacock said: "Len is such a lovely dog, but when people come to visit the animals he is usually over-looked. I really want him to find a nice home.

"Bob is always bouncing around and is very friendly. I am sure he won't have a problem finding a family as he is so playful. He is a really smiley happy little dog and gets on well with other dogs and would suit a family with older children."

But 50-year-old Rosemary, who lives in Draycott near Cheddar, says that although Len and Bob will eventually find homes, not all dogs can be re-housed.

Oatley, a 17-year-old black and white collie, was taken in over the summer. She now has kidney and liver failure and although there is nothing carers can do to help her, Dogs Friends are paying vets bills and looking after her to keep her as comfortable as possible.

Rosemary said: "When she first arrived she wouldn't stop shaking and it was obvious something awful had happened to her. We also thought she may have suffered a blow to the head.

"She got stronger and more confident but then we found out about her health problems. All we can do now is make sure she is her comfortable."

Dogs Friends, which stands for 'Fund-Raising, Information, Entertainment, for Needy Dogs' is looking for donations to pay for vets bills, fosterers while homes are found, and people willing to take in a dog. Anyone who can help is urged to call fosterers Lynne on 01275 873859 or Tracey on 01454 250093 or visit www.dogsfriends.co.uk