THREE puppies found abandoned in freezing weather five days after Christmas 2018 have just enjoyed this year’s festive celebrations in their ‘forever homes’ across the country.

The dogs, two boys and a girl, were discovered by walker on Sunday, December 30, in Stenders Court, The Stenders, Mitcheldean after being dumped overnight.

Named Packham, Twiggy and Harry after the New Year’s honours winners, they were then cared for by the RSPCA’s Gonsal Farm Animal Centre in Shropshire.

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith said: “The puppies were just a couple of months old when they were abandoned overnight in very cold conditions. We never discovered the circumstances surrounding their abandonment unfortunately, but these three pups were extremely lucky that they were spotted by someone when they were and then cared for by the RSPCA.

“It’s unknown whe-ther they were bred as Christmas presents and dumped when they weren’t sold in time, but it really highlights the reality of getting a puppy over Christmas and how unscrupulous breeders put profit over the health and safety of the puppies.

“After such a rough start in life, it’s fantastic to see these dogs spending their first Christmas in their forever homes now.”

Packham, now called Kai, was rehomed by foster carer Sue Roberts in Carrington, Greater Manchester, in January.

She said: “He’s absolutely brilliant. He’s always had bags of personality and loads of energy.

“I love walking so we are made for each other. As a collie cross he’s very clever and picked up toilet training very quickly, even in the snow!”

“I’ve got two cats and wanted a rescue dog. The cats try and ignore him but he loves them, his tail wags when he sees them and he always wants to play.”

Jennie Stevenson, from Cheshire, who adopted Twiggy, said: “She’s really confident and lovely, she’s a very happy, soppy dog.

“We were lucky she came up. The puppies were in demand, it was like trying to get Glastonbury tickets.”

Jennie, who lives with husband Jethro and children Edita, 10, Mortimer, eight, and Barney, four, got Twiggy DNA tested.

She said: “I didn’t believe it when we got the results, it said 50 per cent Golden Retriever and Collie cross… well she’s not golden and she doesn’t retrieve. She is a very friendly, family dog.

Harry was adopted by Susan Bradley, of Horley in Surrey.

She said: “He’s a lovely dog, he’s like my shadow, he goes everywhere with me. 

“At first he was very nervous, but now he’s very confident.

“He’s cheeky. If you turn your back on him he will pinch something and go down the garden with it, especially socks or shoes.”