WHAT A difference a little love can make.After eight years of neglect, two Suffolk dogs are now in the arms of loving new owners – and look fantastic for it.

WHAT A difference a little love can make.

After eight years of neglect, two Suffolk dogs are now in the arms of loving new owners – and look fantastic for it.

It is a new life for Sadie and Chips, who had been subjected to what one RSPCA inspector described as the worst case of neglect he had seen in his 13 years experience.

As The Evening Star recently reported, the two German Shepherds, then named Scampi and Chips had been caged in a pen for eight years with little food and no bedding and left to lie on an excrement-covered floor.

Their former owners Jeremy Maddison 42, and Tracey Maddison, 40, of Orford Road, Bromeswell, each pleaded guilty to two charges of permitting unnecessary suffering to the German Shepherds between February 23 and March 9 this year.

But Sadie, who used to be called Scampi, now lives with Elaine and Kevin Farrington and their two children Sian, 20, and Adam, 16, in Leiston.

Mrs Farrington, 49, said Sadie was very nervous, apprehensive and thin when they first saw her at the RSPCA animal home in Martlesham Heath.

They decided to rename her as they did not like the name Scampi and wanted to give her a fresh start.

Mrs Farrington said: "We like rescue dogs. They need lots of love, give you lots of love back and are just grateful for everything you do.

"It's nice to be able to work with a rescue dog, give it lots of love and time and see it build into a lovely dog.

"It's taken a lot of work to put any meat on her bones. She is getting better and building up confidence, but it's going to take a long time.

"She is much happier. When you walk into the room, her tail will wag. She loves meeting new people and dogs. We all love her so much."

Chips also has a new home with 34-year-old gardener Paul Meadows who lives near Woodbridge

He said eight-year-old Chips was still thin when he first saw her at the RSPCA animal home in Martlesham Heath a few weeks ago.

He said: "What can you do about a dog that has been treated like that apart from give it a lot of fuss?

"She has put on weight, looks very healthy and happy and her tail wags.

"But mentally it's going to take a little while. As soon as you take her collar off, she runs into the garden and keeps out the way.

"Because I live on my own, she is a bit of companionship and security for me."

Tell us what you think of this happy ending. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk