A DOG stabbed and left for dead on a Greek island is alive and well in Bolton after a search to find him.

The beautiful golden retriever - named Chance because he was given a second chance by the Stones family of Farnworth - was just hours from death when he was plucked from the streets of Laganas in Zante and taken to a vet.

Carol Stones was holidaying with husband Les, aged 57 and son Matthew, 24, when they spotted Chance living on the streets. “It was heartbreaking. The first time we saw him he was sheltering under a car from the sun and the car driver almost ran him over. She just drove off and was not bothered at all.

“I whistled him over and gave him something to eat and drink. He was starving and very thirsty.”

The family caught up with Chance several times during their holiday — their resort was a taxi ride from where Chance was living — and were devastated to leave him on the streets when they returned to Farnworth.

“We had tried to find out how to rescue him but weren’t able to do that while we were there,” she added.

On their return to England Mrs Stones made contact with Holbrook Animal Rescue who visit Zante regularly to rescue dogs and asked if they could find Chance.

“At first they were unable to find him but then, one day, they contacted me to say they had found him.

“I felt as if I had won the lottery. I was elated,” she said.

Chance was taken to a local vet where it was discovered he had a very serious wound — thought to have been a stab wound.

“I was told he was very close to death and lucky to have been rescued,” said 60-year-old Mrs Stones whose 26-year-old daughter Rebecca gave him his new name.

Chance was flown to England and in a real rags to riches story now lives the life of luxury with his new pals, the Stones’ other dogs a Newfoundland called Oscar, Carter the German Shepherd and shih tzu Daisy as well as three cats.

Coincidentally Chance was rescued by the same organisation — Holbrook Animal Rescue in West Sussex — who brought Martel to Bolton.

Martel was featured in The Bolton News after being given a home in the town by estate agent Debbie Howarth who had fallen in love with the abandoned puppy while she was also on holiday in Zante.

Mrs Stones added: “Chance has settled in really well. He likes to jump on the settee but you can’t blame him when he’s been used to living on the streets.”

She now feeds Chance four times a day to help build his weight up and lavishes plenty of care and attention on the dog.

“He deserves it. He has been through so much,” she said.