Life's a bitch when your dog days are over

Marble, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was found roaming the streets of Greenock, after having apparently been abandoned.

Staff at the Scottish SPCA re-homing centre in Glasgow think that she was abandoned because she is getting too old to have puppies.

Marbles is struggling to find a new home because she is passed over in favour of prettier animals. A skin infection has left scabs on her stomach and chest, she has differently coloured eyes and unusually pink ears and nose.

But staff at the centre said Marble has a lovely personality and would make the perfect pet.

Kennel assistant Alan Grant said: "She's a very biddable wee dog, she's very easy to handle and she's never given us any problems. She's got balder, thinning patches on her stomach. We have treated her and it seems to have cleared up quite well."

Some potential owners are also put off by Marble's breed, but Mr Grant said: "She's not your stereotypical butch, sturdy, stocky Staffie – she's adorable. We'll definitely get her a home."