A FAMILY from Crossgates have adopted another dog that was rescued from the Chinese meat trade.

Willow, a gorgeous mix between a Shar Pei and a Golden Retriever, has now been with the Arnott family for seven months. She had been sold off to the meat trade in China by her owner before being rescued by the Great Bulls of China charity.

Steven Arnott told the Press: "Willow is an absolute bonafide rescue. She was bought off a meat truck by a gentleman in China who rescues dogs. She was literally on her way to market.

"My wife saw her, the charity brought her across, and she was actually meant to be a foster dog. But she was the worlds fastest foster fail and within a couple of days my wife knew we were keeping her!"

Dunfermline Press: Willow is such a lovable and good-natured dog.Willow is such a lovable and good-natured dog. (Image: Charz Lockhart)

Willow joins a large family with Steven, Christine and six other dogs, including Deena, who was also rescued from the meat trade in China.

Now, she will be joining Deena in becoming a therapy dog at the Camilla House Nursing Home in Auchtertool.

Steven continued: "Because of Willow's nature, and with Deena already being a therapy pet, I wondered if she would be able to do that too, so I took her along to our local care home, just for a visit, and she was absolutely fantastic, she really was.

"She had her assessment last week and the lady that does it had absolutely no problem with her joining the team.

"We think that she's part Shar Pei and part Golden Retriever, so she's like a Shar Pei in a Golden retriever jacket. I call her a 'Shartriever'! But she's just got one of those faces that everyone wants to touch. She's got a big sad face."

Not only is she adorable, she has a fantastic temperament and personality.

"She's really easy going, she's so calm and I've not actually seen her get distressed or upset since we've got her," said Steven.

"What I find amazing about the rescue dogs, especially the China rescue dogs, is that they're just so loving, and yet they've got no reason to trust humans."

For anyone considering rescuing a dog from Great Bulls of China, Steven said: "Absolutely get in touch with the charity. I'm not going to lie, it's not the cheapest thing in the world to do, but at the same thing all these dogs want is a family. They just want a home and when I see Willow, I mean, this is a dog I can have off the lead in the field.

"It's almost like she's just so happy to be here."

For more information on how you can support the Great Bulls of China, visit the Great Bulls of China website or find them on Facebook.