A YEAR after Ginger the dog was dumped in Weymouth she returned to thank her rescue heroes.

The loveable hound was reunited with people who helped her when she visited Woodlands Farm Strays near Bridport with new owner John Steele.

CCTV footage captured the moment that Ginger was abandoned on the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth last September. The story went global after thousands of people watched the video online.

She was taken in by the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council dog team and taken to Woodlands Farm Strays.

Staff at the centre spent months going through more than 100 applications from people wanting to adopt Ginger, until they whittled down the competition to just one.

John Steele, 64, said that he felt very lucky to be Ginger’s new owner.

The Southampton resident travelled down with Ginger yesterday to pay a visit to Mary Bull and her team at Woodlands Farm Strays.

He said: “We wanted to come down to see everyone as we have kept in touch.

“It’s a nice day out for us.”

He added: “She has made such a big difference to my life. I take her out to a different place every morning.

“We go out every single morning at 9am and I say to her: ‘Ready?’ “And she’s there waiting to go.

“She loves playing ball and she went swimming a couple of weeks ago.”

As well as getting lots of exercise Ginger has been enjoying blackberry picking, walking in the park, watching the pigeons, drinking from the pond and John and Ginger are going to Jersey on holiday next week.

He said: “She’s got a happy life now.

“I feel very lucky to be chosen as her owner.”

Ginger was put on medication for arthritis in her back legs last year but she has improved and has since been taken off it.

Mary Bull from Woodlands Farm Strays said: “It’s lovely to see her again, it really is.

“It feels like a job well done.

“She’s such a good natured dog.”

She added: “She will always have a special place here.”

Mike Jolliffe took Ginger to the vets after she was dumped.

He said: “It’s great to see her so happy.

“She’s so bright and playful.”

l Woodlands Farm Strays still have lots of strays looking for a good home. They are also appealing for treats and volunteer walkers to help socialise the dogs.

If you would like to donate or volunteer visit woodlandsfarmstrays.com or call Mary Bull on 01308 423104.