AN ELDERLY stray dog has been given a second chance after it was adopted by the owner of its brother who vanished four years ago.

Veronica Lee was left heartbroken when her beloved lurcher Murphy disappeared in 2013.

But she thought she was going to be reunited with the 15-year-old family pet when a friend saw the RSPCA appealing for a home for an ageing dog found wandering the streets.

She went to meet the dog, which looked almost identical to Murphy, but their microchip numbers were slightly different - suggesting they were brothers from the same litter.

Veronica, from Bristol, has given the dog, Jake, a retirement home after adopting him from RSPCA West Hatch near Taunton, Somerset.

She said: “Murphy wasn’t a wandering dog but sadly I lost sight of him near our home and fear he was stolen when my back was turned.

“I was brokenhearted and never gave up trying to find him.

"Four years down the line I was unexpectedly called by a friend who asked me if this could be my missing dog after they spotted a post on the RSPCA West Hatch Facebook page and I had to go down and see for myself.

“I knew straight away it wasn’t Murphy but the two dogs were so similar in both appearance and character, both so gentle and friendly.

“I was so shocked I sat on the floor crying and cuddling him.

“When I discovered the numbers on Jake’s microchip were just a few away from Murphy’s I realised they must have been littermates and knew I had to offer him a place to call his own.”

Jake now has a relaxing life with Veronica, but he is one of the luckier senior dogs at rescue centres.

It normally take around 15 days for a puppy to be adopted, according to the RSPCA, but a dog aged seven-plus will spend three times as long in a rescue centre.

Anita Clark, deputy centre manager at RSPCA West Hatch, said: “Poor Jake hadn't had much interest until Veronica came along - then it was love at first sight for both of them.

“He’s such an affectionate dog who stole the heart of every member of staff at the centre.

"He’d come such a long way since he was found as a stray, underweight and badly matted, so we were absolutely delighted when he found his perfect match.

“At the age of 15, Jake is the perfect example of how you're never too old to start a new life.”

Veronica said she has always had a love for older dogs, having rescued many others over the years, including Spud the Jack Russell terrier who recently passed away at the ripe old age of 20.

She added: “Jake’s wonderful. He’s so friendly with everyone - the perfect dog.

“He loves relaxing in the garden and he has only barked once since he came here, although he does sometimes gallop and bark in his sleep.

“I certainly hope hearing Jake’s story encourages people to adopt older dogs, puppies are adorable, but old dogs have such character, and so much love to offer.

“I often think of how Jake must have been loved and cuddled when he was young, only to be thrown on the streets when he became older - but he is having it all made up to him now.

“After Murphy disappeared I was so upset and still weep over him most days but Jake being here has helped heal my broken heart.”