A RESCUE dog and a housebound man could be given a new "leash" of life thanks to a business owner and a retiree's generosity.

Rocco - a two-year-old male cross breed - could soon pack in the kennel at Prestatyn's Abandoned Animal Association for "dog walker's paradise" in St Asaph with Peter Taylor, who lives with a number of conditions including arthritis and diabetes.

The move has been made possible after David Cook, owner of Footsteps on Prestatyn High Street, and Joyce Clayton, of Old Colwyn, offered to fund the £120 adoption expenses on behalf of Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor, who moved to North Wales from Stockport last September,said: “We’ve been jumping with joy and singing from the rooftops ever since we heard - it’s brilliant to be embraced by the community like this.

"From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you for such generosity. They can both come and visit Rocco whenever they like when he get's here."

“Not only will this get me out of the house, but where I live is dog walking paradise. Walk 20 feet outside the door and you’re on to the river front and a dog walking path – he'll be living in heaven with us."

The 58 year old also lives with agoraphobia - an anxiety disorder that causes panic in public places - and is largely house bound after, currently only leaving his home to visit a counsellor and his doctor, who has recommended he get a dog as an alternative to medication for the problem.

Rocco first caught Mr Taylor's attention after he read about staff of The Groom Room at Pets at Home, on the Clwyd Retail Park in Rhyl, in The Journal donating their skills to help him find a new home after more than three months at the shelter.

However, after calling the Mr Taylor was rebutted by a staff member at the rescue centre for being unable to afford the £120 "suggested donation" which covers vaccinations, neutering, microchip, worming, de-fleaing, and five weeks insurance.

Mr Taylor and wife Denise - whose only source of income is Employment and Support Allowance - penned their frustration in a letter which was spotted by Ms Clayton and Mr Cook and inspired them to reach out to him and offer their help.

Mr Cook, owner of Footsteps shoe repair on Prestatyn High Street, said: “I love animals, and we’ve just recently lost our cat, so when I saw the story in the Journal about Rocco being made up, and then the letter the following week about the Taylor family struggling, I wanted to do what I could to help."

Mrs Clayton, who worked at the RSPCA shop in Old Colwyn n before retiring said: "l wanted to help these people as l feel they would give this dog a very loving home. If David is agreeable l would split the cost for them to have this dog."

With funding secured, Mr and Mrs Taylor will now head to the rescue centre today (Wednesday) to meet Rocco for the first time, and then begin the procedure and vetting to begin the adoption process.

Carol Roberts, manager of the Abandoned Animal Association, said: ”We’d like to apologise to the Taylors for any misunderstanding. It wasn’t our intention to upset them, and I’m sure if they’d been passed on to me I’d have spoken to them and we'd have come to a positive arrangement.

“I’m glad it’s been resolved now, and that so many people have been so helpful in trying to find Rocco a forever home.”