Working at Edinburgh Airport can be full of surprises.
But when husband and wife Jamie and Anna Thompson started their shifts at EDI on a Thursday morning earlier this month you'd struggle to convince them what lay in store, and that they'd end the day taking home a passenger's pet pug.
It all started when passenger Samuele Bosi arrived hoping to board a flight to Milan with the eight-year-old dog, named Buppa.
When he was told the animal wouldn't be able to fly for health reasons, and fears around how the air pressure could impact its breathing, it looked as though he may have to miss the flight on account of the prohibited pet.
Aware Samuele was required in Italy for a family emergency, Anna, who works for Menzies, stepped in to save the day - offering Buppa a home so the owner could fly to see his family and from there arrange some suitable transport for the dog.
Buppa has been lodging with Anna and Jamie at their house in Alloa since May 5, and appears to have wasted no time in settling in.
Jamie, who works in airside support, said: "He seems to have settled in quite well. If you were to say he's taken up part of the couch you'd be wrong, he hasn't. He's taken up the whole thing!
"We went and got him a bed, some nice food, and a few other bits and pieces.
"It's strange. We've only had him a couple of weeks but we've gotten into a bit of a routine. Anna and I both work shifts at the airport, but my son is home from university at the moment so there's always someone at home with him."
Jamie says the owner is still trying to find a practical way to transport the pet across the continent, but he and Anna are in no rush to send Buppa packing.
He added: "His owner is still trying to sort out transport for him.
"He sends us videos of him speaking in Italian and asks us to show Buppa, so he's still getting some contact with the dog.
"It's clear he's well looked after. We don't have any dogs ourselves but we're quite enjoying having him around the house. He's a great wee dog.
"It's a credit to Anna really that she stepped forward to help in this situation. It's just nice to show a wee bit of kindness really."
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Samuele says he has no idea what he would've done without the help of Anna and Jamie.
He said: "I don't know how I can ever thank them enough. The dog is my best friend, my brother - he is like a son to me.
"When I was at the airport I was really stressed. I had phoned maybe six or seven friends to ask if they can help but nobody was able to. When Anna said she can take him I was shocked. I don't know anyone else who would have offered that.
"For me it was such a stressful situation, and for her to just step in and sort it out was amazing really.
"I am arranging for him to be brought over to Milan later this month, but from what I hear they are spoiling him!"
