A dog was found tied up in a church in Blackpool with a note from its previous owner saying "I love you and I'm so so sorry".
The six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier-cross now known as Cracker was left by the altar of Sacred Heart Church with a handwritten letter.
It read: "Please believe me when I say I haven't done this easily.
"My dog means the world to me and I don't know what else to do. I've no home or money now for him. Life has taken a really bad turn for me and I couldn't imagine him being outside with me cold and hungry.
Church staff and parishioners found the dog just before Christmas when they opened the building on 18th December.
Cracker was taken into the care of the RSPCA and is now getting "lots of TLC" at a private boarding kennel nearby.
Inspector Will Lamping who collected the dog from the church told The Citizen it was clear the previous owner's decision to leave their dog had been difficult for them.
"It's so sad to read the note and see how much Cracker's previous owner loved him.
"Unfortunately, sometimes life can throw some pretty tough things at people and circumstances can drastically change but it's heart-breaking to think that someone out there is missing Cracker and wondering how he is doing," Lamping said.
According to Lamping no-one has come forward to claim Cracker and he will go into the system for re-homing.
Lamping has urged pet owners facing financial difficulties to contact their vet, a local rescue centre or a charity like the RSPCA.