THESE cute pups hope to celebrate Christmas in a new home.

Sheba is hoping a kind-hearted Echo reader will come to the rescue after her elderly owner fell ill.

The 10-month old German Shepherd bitch is currently being housed in a foster home.

But now a Dorset animal rescue centre is appealing for a caring family to come forward to give Sheba and two other puppies a new home.

Wendy Pearce, of Martinstown-based Ark Animal Rescue, said Sheba would be the ideal family pet.

"Sheba is 10 months old now and is a lovely dog and we really hope Echo readers will come to the rescue," she said.

"We took her in after her original owner became ill and felt she could not look after Sheba any longer.

"She is a dog who craves attention and loves playing and messing around - hopefully we will find her a good home."

Sheba is currently staying in a foster home near Abbotsbury along with two other puppies, aged 15 and 11 weeks, who need new homes.

Helen Pullen, who offered the puppies temporary shelter alongside her 19 other dogs, said: "Myself and my husband have luckily got a lot of land, so we agreed to have Sheba and the other two puppies while new homes are found.

"They are all lovely dogs - none of them have been mistreated previously and they would be great company for people."

The new appeal comes after the Echo successfully helped find 10-year-old Jack Russell-cross Babs a new home last month.

A minimum donation is required to home the three dogs. Anyone interested should call Mrs Pearce on 01305 889626.