After a much-loved Sprocker Spaniel became very poorly over Christmas, his owner was incredibly moved when people from all over the UK, most of whom she has never met, donated online to help pay for her pup’s vet bills.

Steph Baldwin who lives in the Forest of Dean took Floyd, her six month old Springer/Cocker, into Vine Tree Vets in Ross-on-Wye just before the New Year, after she noticed that he was limping, and had a swollen paw.

She did not think he was seriously ill, but when she took him in to Vine Tree Vets, they discovered that he was looking very jaundiced. The vets ran blood tests, and found that his kidneys were not working properly, and he was anaemic.

Floyd had to be kept at the vets while more tests and treatment were carried out. Steph missed him terribly, as did her three children, and her other Sprocker, Buddy, who had never been apart from Floyd since the dogs were adopted into the family. Steph told the Ross Gazette that Buddy howled all night, when Floyd was first taken in for the overnight stay.

Steph believes that Floyd may have had a difficult start to life. When she went to collect him from the breeder, he was being kept in a garden shed with his siblings but the mother was being kept in a crate in the breeder’s kitchen. He had not had any of his inoculations, but his tail had been docked by a friend of the breeder.

When Steph brought Floyd home, she explained that he seemed to be withdrawn and he would often cower. “I can’t say whether he was mistreated, but signs suggest he may not have had the best start,” Steph said.

While Floyd now trusts her, and is very affectionate, Steph said that he is still very nervous and submissive around unfamiliar people.

Steph had cancelled her pet insurance just before Christmas, as money was tight and she is a single parent on a low income. So she asked for advice on Facebook.

She was hoping she might be able to apply to certain charities for financial assistance, but some people advised her to set up a Go Fund Me, online donation page.

Steph was hesitant to do this initially. “My friend lost her little girl and had set up a page to help raise funds for her funeral, so I thought my cause didn’t warrant enough.”

But wanting to do everything she could to save Floyd, Steph launched her Go Fund Me Page, and was amazed when, in the first day alone, £250 was raised.

Currently, the amount raised for Floyd’s vet bills is almost £1,200, and people have been contacting Vine Tree Vets directly to make donations.

“The Vets have been really good,” Steph said. “They’ve rung everyday, and have given me updates, sometimes even twice a day.”

One of the Vets at Vine Tree, who has been caring for Floyd, told the Ross Gazette: “He is doing much better now, and he looks like he’s on the mend.”

They added: “For now we’re trying to pinpoint the cause, but we hope to have him home soon.”

They added that they have been inundated with calls from people who live all over the UK, hoping to help Floyd get better. These donations have helped to pay for more specific tests and treatment, to make Floyd’s recovery speedier.

“It’s amazing to see how many people have pulled together for a dog.” Steph said. “I’m gobsmacked that people could be so generous, and it’s really restored my faith in humanity.”

To donate to Floyd’s fund, visit the website: www.gofundme.com/36dmsu0