Desperate search to find dog a new home

The former college lecturer is on the verge of moving 12,000 miles to live in Australia with partner Catriona Anderson.

But the couple fear the upheaval would be too much for three year-old Staffordshire terrier Ethelred.

And so they are on the hunt for a new home for their devoted dog.

Laurence, 41, a former English lecturer at Burnley College will fly out to Brisbane on January 16 to complete the final two years of a distance learning course in acupuncture.

Catriona, 36, a nurse at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, will join him a week later.

The couple have had Ethelred -- fondly known as Ethel -- for the past two and a half years after rescuing her from kennels and consider her to be part of the family.

Laurence, of Sawley Road, Sawley, said: "We initially went to the kennels to get an old dog who we could look after until it passed away but we saw Ethelred and she was so dejected and miserable.

"They were going to put her down the next day so we had to take her.

"She had been found walking the streets of Blackburn. She had no collar on and had been eating out of bins.

"When I was younger my dad used to call all our pets after Kings and Queens. One of the Kings of England was called Ethelred the Unready and we thought that suited her down to the ground - because she was unready to be put down!'

Laurence says that Ethel has become like a substitute baby for the couple - who have no children of their own.

Laurence said: "We are going to miss her loads. It is quite unbearable to think of leaving her.

"But as long as we find a home that is perfect for her we will be all right.

"I can't think of putting her back in a kennel. She would be absolutely destroyed.

"We did look into taking her with us. But it would cost us £1,500 each way and then she would have to spend time in quarantine.

"I think with her history that would just finish her off."

Anyone who thinks they can rehome Ethelred is asked to contact Laurence on 01200 440105.