Dog's 'first proper Christmas' after being abandoned

Emily and James Wathey said they would be spoiling Bluey this Christmas

A year after she was found tied up and abandoned on a golf course, Bluey is spending her first Christmas with her new family.

The Staffordshire bull terrier's day will be filled with presents and "cuddling on the sofa" with Emily and James Wathey, who adopted her in January.

The couple from Bingham, in Nottinghamshire, decided the three-year-old was "the one" after reading about how she was found by a member of the public on 25 December 2023.

Named Bella at the time, she was said to be "extremely skinny".

Mrs Wathey said she and her husband quickly learned Bluey was "obsessed" with tennis balls

She was taken into the care of Babbington Hall Kennels and Rescue, which is where Mr and Mrs Wathey first met her.

The couple had lost their previous rescue dog - coincidentally named Bella - a few months before Christmas.

"We did go away last Christmas because it was quite difficult," Mrs Wathey said.

"We just wanted to be away from the house."

'Fresh start'

They came across Bluey's story after returning home and felt it was "meant to be".

"We saw the BBC News article and as soon as we saw her face we thought 'she's the one'," Mrs Wathey said.

The 32-year-old said a vet told them Bluey had been used for breeding and was "dumped" when she could no longer have litters.

They decided to rename her and give her a "fresh start".

The couple said Bluey was "a ball of energy" when they first met her

Due to being used by breeders in the early years of her life, Mrs Wathey said she was not sure if Bluey had been exposed to much else.

"We don't think she had even been on a lead before," she said.

"This might be her first proper Christmas. I don't think she had owners who celebrated Christmas with her before."

To make the day special, the couple wrapped up gifts for Bluey, which they hope she will be able to unwrap herself.

The couple say they have more surprises planned for Bluey when she turns four on 2 January.