It was wuff at first sight! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It was wuff at first sight!

Ref. 29074-28IT could be more than puppy love for these two dogs this Valentine's Day.

Sirocco, a 12-year-old pointer cross, won a Valentine's Day dogs blind date competition and his prize is a day out with nine-year-old Great Dane cross Kaz.

Kaz is the practice dog at Thameswood Small Animal Hospital in Purton Road, Moredon.

Owners of the practice, Nick and Giovanna Hartley, have been running the competition for the past two weeks. As dog owners have been bringing in their pets to see the vet, they have been entering their hounds into the running.

The two dogs met for the first time yesterday and hit it off straight away.

They will go out on a proper date next week across the fields in Moredon.

Kaz and Sirocco will enjoy some pampering including a bath, groom and nail trim.

Treats such as pigs' ears will also be on offer.

Sirocco's owner, 34-year-old Denise Haynes of Moredon, said: "Sirocco was very excited when we first found out he had won.

"I gave him a big fuss and he proudly jumped onto the settee and stayed there even though he knows he's not allowed on the settee.

"He sat there looking like a winner."

Linzi Matthews, receptionist at the practice, said: "Not only has Sirocco won all these gifts, he'll also receive lots of tender loving care from all of the staff here.

"The dogs seem to be getting on well and it doesn't seem to matter that they're both boys."

Sirocco also received a heart-shaped collar, lead and identity tag, as well as a Valentine's card from Kaz.

Miss Haynes was given a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates.

Mrs Hartley, Kaz's owner, said: "Kaz gets on well with other dogs and I'm sure he doesn't mind the fact that his blind date is a boy. I think he probably prefers male dogs.

The idea for the competition came from Mrs Hartley's staff nurse Felicity Webb. "We fancied doing something a bit different and crazy," said Mrs Hartley. "It's the first year we've done it and it's certainly generated lots of interest."

Thameswood Small Animal Hospital has been open for 18 years and this week celebrated treating its 10,000th pet.

elidbury@newswilts.co.uk