A HEARTBROKEN couple who lost their 18-month-old puppy when he died from an epileptic fit are hoping to heal their grief by taking on a new challenge.

Dog lovers Lynn and Ronnie Levett are to give a new home to Staffordshire terrier Ethelred.

We featured the plight of three year-old Ethelred after her owners launched a search to find her a home before they started a new life in Australia.

Lynn and Ronnie, an inspector at Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick, responded to our plea.

Lynn, 43, who runs a furnishing shop in Padiham, lost her 18-month Welsh border collie Fergus, on January 3, after he suffered a series of fits. And his death came just days after Lynn had lost two close members of her family.

Lynn, of Caernarvon Avenue, Burnley, said: "My auntie died on January 1, then her brother died on January 2.

"On the same day, Fergus started having fits. They carried on overnight and he never actually recovered from them so the following day we took the decision to have him put down. We were absolutely heartbroken. Fergus was a real livewire. He was like a tornado tearing around the house, but we loved him for it.

"He used to go to work with me every day and people used to call into the shop just to see him."

Ironically around the same time that Lynn and Ronnie, 48, inquired about having Ethelred, Lynn was approached by the Guide Dogs for the Blind, where she used to work as a puppy walker.

The charity asked her if she would like to take care of one of the puppies that she once walked - a 12 year-old cross-Labrador called Thora - who is about to retire.

Lynn said: "I said yes to both dogs. There is no problem - we have enough room for both dogs at home and they will both come to the shop with me during the day.

"Thora is very laid back and Ethelred has a very placid nature so I can't envisage any problems. We are absolutely thrilled."

Ethelred's former owner, Laurence Bridgeland, 41, of Sawley Road, Sawley, will fly to Australia on Friday to complete the final two years of a distance learning course in acupuncture.

His partner Catriona Anderson, 36, a nurse, will join him a week later.

Former college lecturer Laurence, said: "Ethel got on very well with Lynn and Ronnie. Obviously they are both grieving about losing their dog but Ethelred is a very affectionate dog and I hope she will be a great healer for them."