WHEN puppy rescuer Carol West asked for a good home for Tomy, the abandoned wire-haired fox terrier, she was expecting only one or two calls.

But since the heart-melting photograph of the pedigree puppy appeared inside last week's Bury Times she has been inundated with calls.

"It's been incredible. I've had more than 100 telephone calls and even people who are unable to look after a dog have rung to make sure he is okay. He's certainly tugged at a lot of heartstrings," said Miss West, who founded Puppy Rescue seven years ago.

Four-month-old Tomy was found at Whitecroft Drive, Bury, a fortnight ago. Despite all her best efforts, Miss West could not track down his owner.

So she contacted the Bury Times for help in finding a home for the "adorable" little dog.

After countless visits to the homes of prospective owners, and after rigorous interviews to test their suitability, Miss West decided on the Abbott family.

"I'm thrilled to bits," said Mrs Christine Abbott of The Meadows, Radcliffe, who has renamed the puppy Max. She said the family had been debating whether to have a pet for the past three years and knew that a small dog would be ideal.

The picture finally convinced her to take the plunge and give Tomy a home. She said: "It was my decision ultimately because I would be the one who would mainly look after the dog." Mrs Abbott, her husband David, and her sons Kristian (16) and Ben (14) are delighted with the new addition to the family.

And Mrs Abbott said her eldest son, Daniel, 20, was eager to come home from university to meet Max. "It was a very hard decision, but they seemed like the ideal owners," said Miss West.

"I had so many phone calls from so many nice people and I'd like to thank every single one of them."

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