When his dog fell unconscious splashing around in a stream Chris Snow feared he was about to lose the beloved companion who saved his life when he was at his lowest ebb.

Luckily for Staffordshire bull terrier Bones a mystery couple came to the rescue and helped to bring him back to life.

Chris, 59, had taken his pet and his friend Terri McConville’s border collie out for a walk on June 1 and because it was warm he let the pair jump into the stream next to Pond Street so they could have a splash about.

He said: “All the local dogs go in there to cool down and have some fun. I was with the two dogs, and they both got in, they’d been in there before with no issues.

“I saw a couple walking towards me, so I decided to put the dogs on their leads.

“I put my friend’s dog on her lead, and then I saw Bones was unconscious and under the water. I dragged him out, and he wasn’t breathing, that’s when the couple came over asking what had happened, they ended up helping me try to revive him.”

As the three worked on Bones to get him breathing again, including carrying out CPR, Chris was terrified he would lose his best friend.

He said: “He jerked all of a sudden and coughed, then he was breathing again. I was all over the place. I was panicked that he wouldn’t come round. I really thought he was dead. When he came round, I was so relieved.”

Now he wants to find the couple so he can thank them properly.

He said: “I wish I thought about getting the couple’s names and contact details. I want them to know how grateful I am for their help.”

The 12-year-old pooch is more than just a companion.

He was there for Chris when he lost his home in 2016 and lived on the streets for two years.

“Through certain circumstances, I found myself homeless, and that’s how I met Terri and her dog,” said Chris, who now lives in The Bungalows, Pinehurst.

“She was walking past, and we got talking as our dogs played together. I was sleeping in a tent in Abbey Meads at the time, and we’ve kept in touch ever since.

“And Bones was a lifesaver at the time. I would have done something stupid if he wasn’t there with me.

“He saved my life, and now we have saved his.

“I just want to say thank you to the mystery couple, and let them know my best friend is okay because of them.”

It’s not known what happened to Bones in the water, but after a nap, he was back to his normal happy and energetic self.