THE new owner of a dog left abandoned at a train station with his belongings in a suitcase said it was "like winning the lottery" as the pair began their new life together in Newton Mearns today.
Kai, a male Sher Pei, touched the hearts of thousands worldwide and the Scottish SPCA at Cardonald was overwhelmed with hundreds of offers of a new home after he was dumped at Ayr last month.
Fifty-two year-old Ian Russell was "over the moon" after being chosen by the animal charity to be Kai's new owner and said he couldn't wait to get him home.
He said: "I heard about Kai on Facebook and got in touch within a day or so.
"I lost my Dalmatian Mica just before Christmas and I was heartbroken. It's like fate. I honestly think it was meant to be."
Single Ian said he worked all over scotland as a hydraulic engineer and Kai would accompany him.
He also plans to take Kai on plenty of walks up the Scottish mountains, he said.
He added: "This is a big day.
"He's such a lovely natured dog. It's a bit like winning the lottery."
SPCA care assistant Alan Grant said they chose Iain because he knew about dogs and didn't have any other pets or small children.
The charity was inundated with offers from around the world, including Australia, the U.S. and the Philippines.
Alan, who was worked for the SPCA for more than 20 years, said he had never seen a response like it.
He said: "I think the Paddington bear analogy had something to do with it.
"Everyone was just touched by the story."
Iain is not planning to use any of Kai's old belongings and plans to make a fresh start.
He said his priority was to get Kai settled into his new home later today.
The SPCA said their investigation into Kai's abandonment was continuing.
Kai became an Internet sensation after he was tied up and left at Ayr station after an alleged sale through Gumtree went wrong.
Fin Rayner, 39, arranged to buy him for her daughter but the transaction went wrong and the seller made off.
Kai went on to become the face of a PETA campaign encouraging owners not to buy animals online.
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