Paddington the Peruvian street dog moves to the UK

A street dog that took a particular liking to a British backpacker in Peru - following her relentlessly - has arrived at his new home in the UK after months of vaccines, tests and quarantine.

Mirelle Radley, 30, felt like she was "adopted" by the stray in a village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas while travelling in April.

When it became clear he was not being cared for, she named him Paddington and jumped through hoops to ensure he could safely be brought home with her.

They arrived back at her home in Cambridge on Thursday and she said Paddington was "loving life" in the UK.

Ms Radley, originally from Sheffield, and her cousin Adam Radley, who lives in Canada, had just arrived in the village when the dog came to visit as she relaxed in a hammock.

He would follow them to and from the shops.

"We went pony trekking up a mountain and I was so worried he would follow us that I gave him a bone to distract him, but when we came back there he was.

"He recognised me from about 50m away and bounded over and followed us back to the village.

"By day two I was beginning to think about whether I could keep him and by day three I was trying to figure out a plan."

She asked for advice on social media and started a crowdfunder to help with costs associated with Paddington's care and treatment.

She got in touch with the owner of a nearby charity - Colitas Con Canas - and the owner provided advice and a foster home so Paddington could be made ready for his new life.

"It involved vet visits, vaccinations, blood tests, travel crates, quarantine, paperwork and flights - and it isn't cheap," Ms Radley said.

She left the dog in the care of the local friends she had made through the charity and kept in touch about progress.

She documented Paddington's story on Instagram and her Paddington from Peru posts have more than 400,000 followers.

Once the paperwork was complete, she flew back to Peru - via Paris and Colombia - to collect Paddington.

"Sadly when we got to the border in France, an error had been made on one part of the Peruvian paperwork and we weren't allowed to leave for the UK," she said.

It took several visits to vets and officials - including a vet in Belgium - before everyone was satisfied and they were allowed to cross the Channel.

And is Paddington enjoying his new life in the UK?

"Yes, he seems to be loving it and seems to have adapted really quite quickly."

She admitted the washing machine and the stairs in her house had been "a little bit of a moment for him", but added: "He's only been here three or so days but he's so enjoying spending time with lots of other friendly dogs."

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