THEY say every dog has its day and rescue dog Fleur is unlikely to have a more memorable one than today any time soon.

On Monday the pooch, who is owned by Hampshire resident Wendy Morris, was named Battersea Rescue Animal of the Year at this year's Mirror Animal Hero Awards.

The glamour evening in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel came after a journey of mistreatment and suffering for the collie cross.

Fleur overcame horrific ill-treatment in Romania before being saved from a kill shelter and becoming a therapy dog in the UK.

The canine was taken from the streets of Bucharest by dog catchers and left to die after a botched spaying left her intestines hanging outside her body.

However, she was rescued by the Valgrays animal charity.

Ms Morris, who lives in Ropley, near Alresford, saw a picture of Fleur on their website and instantly decided to adopt her.

Three weeks after starting her new life in Hampshire with Wendy and her two other rescue dogs, she fell seriously ill with a rotten bowel.

The vet gave her a one per cent chance of survival and recommended euthanasia but Ms Morris sought a second opinion from specialists at the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar. Following rare and complex surgery, and weeks in intensive care, Fleur made a full recovery.

She is now a Pets as Therapy Read2dog, going into primary schools to help children read and communicate. She also visits nursing and residential homes and is an ambassador for rescue dogs.