A blind dog who was tied to a pallet of bricks and left to die has got a reason to wag her tail again after being adopted by a new family.

The plight of springer spaniel Delphine, abandoned in Maidstone in May, touched the hearts of hundreds who rallied round to raise the £2,500 needed for an operation to save her sight.

But when the surgery was unsuccessful, the RSPCA put out an appeal for a very special home for her.

Her story was spotted on Facebook by John and Anne Hopkins, who made the 130-mile round trip from Wokingham four times to build up Delphine’s confidence and brought their nine-year-old rescue dog Antonia along to meet her too.

Now the pet is relaxing at her new home.

Mr Hopkins said: “It is incredible how quickly she has learned to trust us. When we met her for the first time she was pacing around and when we touched her she flinched. She was extremely nervous.

“Delphine has gradually learned to relax with us. Her little tail never stops wagging now. I will never understand how anyone could part with her.”

Christine Dooley, animal centre manager at RSPCA Leybourne, is thrilled Delphine has found a fantastic new home.

She said: “Delphine was completely traumatised by her previous experiences and was unresponsive when she first arrived.

“When she eventually wagged her tail for us here it was a noteworthy occasion, rather like the time she first accepted a treat from our hands.

“They were milestones in her development and her return to being a more 'normal' dog and they felt like real achievements so we shared the news over our walkie talkie radios and at tea breaks.

“Her life has changed out of all recognition. Having the stability of a new home, the companionship of a steady lovable canine companion and the care and compassion of her new owners has changed her world completely."

If anyone has any information about Delphine and how she came to be dumped call 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for RSPCA Inspector Tina Nash.