An East Hampshire woman has given County Market visitors a massive pat on the back by boosting an appeal to get her dog life-saving surgery, writes Zahra Choudhury.

He may be Grizzy by name, but this two-year-old St Bernard is definitely not grizzly by nature, being funny, kind and absolutely adorable.

But this dog who has “never grown up and wears his emotions on the outside” needs more than some love after being diagnosed with Addison’s Disease.

Grizzy needs a pacemaker to keep his heart from stopping as the disease has affected his major organs.

Unfortunately, it’s a £6,000 expense not covered by insurance, so his owner from Worldham has turned fundraiser to keep this St Bernard on his four paws.

Laura Charlton recently encouraged visitors to the shop near Bordon to take part in a “pat a giant” meet and greet, charging people £1 to pat the dog and £2 to pose with a photo alongside Grizzly and her other three St Bernards.

It raised £213 while a dog biscuit sale the following week swelled the coffers to more than £600.

Laura was moved by the generosity of strangers, recalling one woman who shared her story of a dog that lived for seven years after a pacemaker was fitted.

She said: “The community response has been overwhelming – it’s given me faith in humanity and demonstrates how many people have been touched by Grizzly's story.”

Laura also recently launched a JustGiving page with nearly half the £6,000 target already being donated.

There was also a doggy biscuit sale at Alice Holt with plans to do more fundraising events at the forest and in Selborne this weekend at the main car park.

To help ensure Grizzly gets the happy, healthy life he deserves, you can donate via https://shorturl.at/CVFvG