My 4,600-mile flight of love to bring home stray

THE last night of a family holiday to Turkey brought an unexpected surprise to David and Amanda Williams.

While they waited for their hotel’s evening entertainment to begin, along with their two children, Tia, 13, and Leo, eight, a little scruffy terrier (inset) sauntered up to them — and climbed on 44-year-old Amanda’s lap.

The bond was instant — and the couple, from Bournemouth, knew they had to bring the pooch home.

David, 41, who works in financial services, says: ‘That was it. Sometimes it just happens, the dog chooses you.

‘She was just an adorable little thing, so calm and gentle. Thin, scruffy and clearly desperate for love.

‘I asked in the hotel if they knew who I should speak to about adopting a dog. Luckily, there was a man who knew an animal shelter.’

Due to fly home the next day, the couple left the two-yearold dog in the shelter. It would take 30 days for rabies injections and other jabs before she could come home.

Before they left, they christened her Sandy (left, with Amanda), after her fur.

A month later, in July 2017, David flew the 2,300 miles back to Dalaman in west Turkey to get Sandy, who now had her own pet passport. It was a real expedition of love.

‘The journey took three days and cost £1,000. But she’s just a joy, so full of affection.’

Amazingly, Sandy wasn’t to be the last dog the family would re-home from Turkey — they rescued another scruffy terrier they named Ashley, who is also an adored member of the family.