A PLUCKY Port pooch who was so poorly his owner feared he would have to be put to sleep has been crowned this year’s Pet Idol winner.

Loveable Staffie cross Patch bounded ahead of the competition with a staggering 4,906 votes.

Thrilled owner Margaret Caven didn’t think he had a chance - but says her pet’s victory is well deserved.

Margaret, 41, who lives in Mackie Avenue, said: “I’m over the moon. He’s been through a lot, so I’m quite chuffed for him.

“I’ve had Patch  since he was five months and he’s almost three now, but he wasn’t a well wee dog. He had a stomach complaint and was always being sick.

“It became so severe I thought I was going to need to have him put to sleep.

Thankfully a visit to Tele vet Neil McIntosh and a series of blood tests helped to give the ‘tail’ a happy ending.

Margaret said: “Neil told me in all his years in the business he had never come across a dog like Patch with his amount of allergies.

“There are only three things he is able to eat; turkey, salmon and eggs.”
Patch’s now a picture of health and can celebrate his new role as Inverclyde’s top dog.

Margaret said: “Patch is very special to me. This is something nice for him for a change.

“He’s a happy wee dog. He loves kids and everyone who meets him loves him.”

Margaret works as a receptionist at Gourock pool in the summer and as an usher at the Beacon in the winter – so made sure Patch had plenty backing him.

She said: “I had my mum’s knitting bee voting for Patch, and work colleagues and customers at the pool. Even when I was out for a walk with him, if someone said he was gorgeous I would say to them you need to vote for him.”

Margaret hopes to take Patch on a special ‘doggy holiday’ to Arran with her £500 first prize.

She wants to thank everyone who voted, especially her friend Mark Lapsley who looks him when she is at work.

More than 100 pets took part in the popular contest with almost 14,000 votes cast.

Worthy runner up was parish pet Jasmine, inset, owned by Reverend Dr John Bollan from St Joseph’s Church in Greenock.

The black cocker spaniel didn’t need divine intervention to gain 2,409 votes and a £50 voucher for Abbey Vets.

Father Bollan quipped: “The contest is great, it has given people around the parish something to get behind.”

Making up the top three was another dog, Amy, with 1,863 votes.