Tail of the mystery gift
Pet present turns up at SSPCA 10 years late
A gift of love for a homeless dog has turned up - 10 years late.
The Scottish SPCA appealed for a little girl to come forward as they had received her Christmas present.
They thought it had only just been sent - but we can reveal sender Zoe Raynor, from Troon, popped it in the post when she was just 10.
The development has left Zoe - now a 21- year- old artist - stunned.
The Dunfermline- based SSPCA asked the public to track down their young benefactor on Monday.
An eagle- eyed Ayrshire Post reader contacted us and revealed Zoe lived in Queens Drive, Barassie.
But they added: “Zoe is now an adult... this must have been lost somewhere for a rather long time.”
Animal lover Zoe sent a Christmas card and doggy present of tennis balls, and toys all nicely wrapped.
The card read: “Merry I’ve got a gift for a dog tell them I’m so sorry that you don’t have a real family. Love Zoe Raynor.”
Somehow the gift has only now turned up at the Scottish SPCA base in Lanarkshire.
In a media appeal on Friday the animal charity said: “We want to say thank you to Zoe for her thoughtful and generous Christmas gift.
“Our Lanarkshire centre received this brilliant gift of dog toys and handmade card from Zoe, and we know that the dogs in our care would love to thank her in person.
“Unfortunately there’s no sender address so hopefully Zoe sees this.”
The appeal created a raft of good wishes for the schoolgirl with the mystery address.
Fran Mitchell said: “What a selfless and beautiful gesture. Many adults could learn a thing or two from this child!” And Lorraine Hosie added: “Oh my goodness, I’m welling up reading that card! What a sweetheart!”
Susan Guinea added: “This young lady is going to be a wonderfulwonder success as sheh grows and dh her familyf l should be immensely proud of her. Well done Zoe you are a beautiful soul.” Zoe herself is convinced she sent it. She said: “I cannot believe this, I am really stunned.
“Everyone who has seen it says it is my writing. I would have done it with my papy James Ringland who is sadly not with us any more.
“We were always doing things like this. I am a complete animal lover and nuts about dogs.”
Zoe has a Labradoodle and a new puppy is on the way. And she added: “This has brought back so many memories. Maybe now my present can be given to one of the poor dogs!”
Mum Roberta added: “Zoe was always doing things like this - and once sent a card to the Queen on her 80th birthday saying she loved her horses.
“She got a lovely reply from one of the ladies in waiting.
“Funnily enough I have exactly the same card from her tucked away here at home.”