A SWEET Staffie saved from dog death row by social media has finally found his happy ending.

Black brindle Staffordshire bull terrier Penfold has been adopted into a loving new home, eight months after he was given just days to live.

The perfect pooch was originally picked up as a stray in Park North and had struggled to find a new home.

Last May, the three-year-old faced a bleak future after he reached his legal time limit in council kennels and his emergency funding ran out.

Luke Bartley, 20, a dog walker from Old Town, launched the Penfold's Rescue campaign on Facebook and took to social media to save Penfold.

The #SavePenfold campaign quickly generated thousands of shares and retweets from parliamentary candidates and EastEnders favourite John Partridge.

Generous town animal lovers opened their hearts and wallets to help the playful pooch’s cause donating more than £1,000 with scores of people offering him his forever home.

Now. thanks to the tender loving care of animal rescue Rescue Remedies, Penfold has blossomed and this week found a new home with Essex resident Harvey Hoar.

“We had spoken to quite a few families about Penfold and Harvey had just lost his brindle staffie,” said Lynne DaCosta of animal rescue service Rescue Remedies.

“We said Penfold was available and they just clicked right away. I knew it was going to be the right fit for both of them and it makes me so happy," she said.

“Penfold has a calm connected temperament which sealed the deal. Harvey took him for a walk and that was it.

“It just feels right. As soon as Penfold saw Harvey, who genuinely loves the breed, he ran straight up to him. They are a team and he’s got a nice big garden for him to play in. He has a future now and it always feels amazing when we rehome Staffies with people we know will love them."

Lynne and her team had worked tirelessly to socialise Penfold, who arrived at Rescue Remedies timid and unused to other dogs.

“We’ve done a lot of work with Penfold, sensory work and getting him used to other dogs and it has paid off," Lynne said

“He’s quite a zany dog, full of energy and it’s a complete turnaround since we first brought him in. He has become the dog he always should have been.”

And with a new home and a new name - Maxie - the playful pooch’s future looks bright.

Luke said he was delighted that Penfold had found his forever home.

“It’s just really amazing isn’t it? A few months ago he had a few days left to live and the people of Swindon all got behind him when he needed the help," he said.

"They saved his life, I’m so happy that he has an owner now who will take good care of him.

“It makes the work we do worthwhile.”

To donate to the Penfold’s Rescue project go to www.penfoldsrescue.wix.com/Swindon or www.facebook.com/penfoldsrescue