As the Coates family sit down to their Christmas dinner, they will be reflecting on the amazing resilience of the latest addition to their household.

Helen Coates, husband Brian and daughter Michelle have given a home to Wufra – the dog found near to death on Buckden Pike back in October.

But, thanks to two months of TLC, the Saluki cross is back on his feet and is enjoying exploring his new surroundings.

And he has a new name, Will – to reflect his will to overcome adversity.

He has also been named runner-up in the PDSA Pet Survivor of the Year – a national competition to find the nation’s most incredible pet survival story.

“I am absolutely amazed that he is still with us,” said Helen, who runs The Dog People at Grassington.

The dog, believed to be about two years old, was found with a broken leg and in an emaciated state near the Polish war memorial. Experts believe he could have been there for two weeks.

He was rescued by eight members of the Grassington-based Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, who carried him off the fell on a stretcher and took him to The Dog People.

Weighing just 12kg, he was in such a bad state that vets advised that he should be put down. They feared his internal organs had begun to shut down and his shattered leg would need amputating, But Helen was adamant he should be given a chance. “Every dog deserves a chance and he had been through such a lot. He obviously had the will to live.”

Her persistence paid off as Will is now back to his normal weight and enjoying his new life in Grassington.

“He still has a limp, but is raring to go. He is a very, very gentle dog, quite shy and a bit nervous of men.

“He loves having his ears tickled and also likes his creature comforts. He is a beautiful dog, with eyes that melt your heart.”

Helen said she was grateful to everyone who had contributed towards the vets’ bills.

“People have been very generous and I am eternally grateful. He now has a new life to look forward to and I can’t wait to see him running around.”

Andy Jackson, leader of the rescue team, said: ‘’I have had my first a reunion with Wufra at one of the Grassington Dickensian weekends. I am so pleased at how he now looks. I vividly remember his sorry state, so thin, and shivering against the wall. Now he is walking about, the pot is off his badly damaged leg and he has put his weight back on. He looks a totally different dog.

“It has been a remarkable and wonderful recovery – he is some dog, he wasn’t going to give up. We all wish him a happy future. He certainly deserves one .’’