Poorly Somerset shih tzu receives 'get well soon' cards from Tokyo, New York and Canada

A dog who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer has received nearly 150 Christmas cards from well-wishers around the world.

Six-year-old Shih Tzu, Leo, was adopted by his owner Clair, from Somerset, in 2018 when he was just six months old.

Earlier this year, she noticed he had a lump on his skull which was later diagnosed as a rare form of cancer.

Despite undergoing surgery at the end of September, Clair was told Leo's cancer was incurable and that this Christmas will likely be his last.

So far, Leo, has received 142 Christmas cards from people around the world sending him good wishes, which Clair said has left her "speechless".

"It's gone crazy. I didn't expect it to get this big. I think we might hit 200 at this rate," she said.

"It's unbelievable. I just don't know how to thank these people. You know, these cards have come from Tokyo, New York, even someone from Canada.

"We've also had cards from Switzerland, Romania, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, and even Australia".

Clair said receiving the news of Leo's cancer diagnosis was particularly tough, as it came just one week after the death of her 16-year-old shih tzu Poppy.

She was told Leo had around five weeks to live, but after appealing for donations she raised more than £13,000 for surgery to extend his life.

"The vets were trying to keep upbeat, but I knew straight away that it was cancer," Clair said. "I just thought, how can this happen? I can't lose them both."

She said the kindness and generosity she has received from strangers around the world has been "out of this world".

"I don't know how to put it into words to be honest with you. I don't even know how to say thank you," Clair said.