THE tale of a stray dog who nearly died after spending ten days and nights roaming the streets has prompted a call for help from animal lovers in Hampshire.

Lady, an Afghan cross, defied the odds to survive ten freezing nights wandering around the New Forest looking for shelter.

A massive search effort got under way with help from dozens of volunteers and Lady, thought to be quite a young dog, was eventually found shivering in a farmer's barn.

She returned looking emaciated and was nervous after her ordeal, but is now back to her old self.

Lady was originally picked up by dog wardens as a stray in Fareham.

She was rehomed in Calshot, but ran away from her new family on the first day she was with them and got lost in the New Forest.

Animal welfare officers thought they would never see the adorable pooch, described as relaxed and laid-back, again.

But her remarkable return to full health has seen them launch an initiative to find loving homes for all their remaining strays.

Debbie King, animal welfare officer from Fareham Borough Council, said: "We were so worried about Lady and after ten days we thought that was it, we'd never see her again.

"We're really grateful to all the people who helped us finally get her back.

"She was certainly glad to be back. She looked very thin and had not coped very well on her own really.

"We've picked a lot of dogs up lately. They've just been roaming the streets and we don't want to leave them in kennels any longer than we have to.

"We want to find them all new homes as quickly as possible."

There has been a marked rise in stray dog numbers in the town from the usual one a month to four already in February.

Pixie, Katie and Pat are all looking for new homes and a fifth dog - Granite - will also be up for rehoming if his owners have not been found by today.

The dogs are currently being looked after by staff at Woodside Kennels in St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield.

To give a dog a home, call Debbie on 07831 174351 or the kennels direct on 01329 842402.