Puppy love is incentive for ride

The mongrel bitch was in a litter of pups from one of the many Dogs running wild in the war zone.

Cpl Phillips spent Saturday on a cycle ride and a run to support the charity which brought Smudge to Bournemouth.

Quarantine costs

She spent six months in quarantine at a centre in Surrey and is now enjoying her first taste of life at her new home with Cpl Phillips' mother.

The medic is completing his self-imposed tasks for the rescue charity Nowzad Dogs to help pay for the quarantine costs and other stray Dogs it helps to rehome.

He rode 30 miles from Poole Quay, around the harbour to Studland before running back to the quay.

He said: "She was born in autumn 2008 in Afghanistan and I met her when she was a puppy when I was last serving out there.

"She was rescued by the charity and brought back to the UK at the beginning of 2009 along with her three siblings.

"Smudge is just one of many who need a home here in the UK where they can be loved and cared for, just what they deserve."