When animal welfare officers met Molly the American bulldog, they said she was the most depressed dog they had ever seen.

The five-year-old pooch was given up voluntarily to the charity by her former owners after she was found to be suffering from a painful condition which caused her eyelashes to grow inwards, continually scratching her eyes.

After an operation, she was brought from outside the area to the RSPCA's Woodside centre, in Scudamore Road, Braunstone Frith, where staff said she appeared to have "given up on life."

Woodside general manager Lisa Smith, said: "The pain on her eyes, which she may have had for some time, must have been excruciating.

Lisa said: "She just could not take to kennels, so we brought her into the office, where she appeared very frightened of people coming and going and just hid."

"She just sat there – she appeared to have given up on life, refused to eat and was truly the most depressed dog I had ever seen in my life,"

A foster carer took Molly in after she lost a stone in weight and it was feared she would die.

Staff were astonished when her mood lifted within seconds of leaving the centre, bound for a temporary home with volunteer Amanda Morawski.

"When I saw her she really was a bag on bones, and just looked like she didn't want to go on with life," said Amanda, 36, who has helped the Woodside Animal Centre for five years. "But the change in her is absolutely unbelievable. I can't believe it.

"She is eating every meal, bounding about and playing. Yesterday she picked up a toy for the first time. She's a different dog altogether. She is absolutely amazing."

Unfortunately Amanda, who has three other dogs with complex health conditions, can only keep Molly till the end of next week.

After that she will go back to kennels if a new home is not found.

Manager Lisa added: "She is the most lovely, gorgeous, kind and loving dog you could ever hope to have.

"We are pleading with readers that they might consider giving her a home.

"If she comes back, I'd fear the worst. I think all the progress would be undone and I think she would just give up again."

The ideal home would have other dogs, a loving owner and children over the age of eight.

If you think you can offer Molly a home, call the centre on 0116 233 6677.