There has been an emotional reunion today between a dog named Woodstock and the RSPCA inspector who saved his life, rescuing him from a filthy home last year only days from Woodstock likely starving to death.

Stuart Thomas discovered Woodstock and two other dogs, Lily and Spike, living in squalid conditions last July.

"He was about as close to death without being dead that you can be… in the moment, I knew I had to get this dog help as quickly as possible," Thomas said.

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Thomas rushed Woodstock to an emergency vet where he received extensive treatment. 

"The condition he was left in and the lack of treatment for that dog was one of the most shameful cases of neglect that I have ever personally investigated," he said.

Now thriving and living with his new family, Woodstock and Thomas were today given the opportunity to meet again in a much happier environment. 

"It makes all the bad parts of the job worth it," Thomas said.

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Out of horrible circumstances came a very sweet twist, when Woodstock, Lily and Spike were all adopted by their foster carers.

Their previous owners pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. They were handed a suspended sentence and banned from owning pets again. 

The RSPCA has called for Christmas donations to help other tales like Woodstock's to have a happy ending.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.