US tourist flies stray dog Charlie home to LA after meeting him on Peru holiday just minutes before she was due to go home and pays to treat his 'raw paws, broken skin and malnutrition'

A tourist fell in love with a dying stray dog just hours before she had to go home and later traced him to give him a new lease on life.

Ursula Vari from Los Angeles in California, was on holiday in Peru when the pooch approached her in pain, moments before her flight home was due to take off.

Vari stayed with the dog, which she later named Charlie, for about 20 minutes - enough for him to make a lasting impression.

Boarding her plane home, Vari said she couldn't stop thinking about the pup, who was completely bald and had 'raw paws from walking endless miles on the melting concrete'. 

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When Ursula met Charlie in Peru, he had been  battered, abandoned and even hit by several cars

In August, Ursula returned to Peru to collect her new companion who she had rescued from the streets

The fluffy white dog is now enjoying life with another rescue dog at Vari's home in Los Angeles

Landing in the US the following day, the keen traveller said that she knew she had to rescue the dog, who she believed had been battered, abandoned and even hit by several cars during his time on the streets. 

Calling around local rescue centres, Vari described the pooch, who she had only known for half an hour, and sent pictures through in emails, asking staff to track him down.

Waiting up night after night to hear any news, the Los Angeles native finally received an email three days later - and it was from rescue group, Amazon Cares, who revealed they had found Charlie.

Charlie was completely bald and had 'raw paws from walking endless miles on the melting concrete'

The pooch had mixed dermatitis, mites, bacterial dermatitis, mange, and severe acute malnutrition

Writing on a video on her YouTube channel, Vari said that the dog was in so much pain he just wanted to disappear

After being told without medical care he would have days to live, Charlie underwent a medicated bath

The email stated that the mutt had mixed dermatitis, mites, bacterial dermatitis, mange, and severe acute malnutrition, and he was being prepared for a medicated bath and evaluation.

Vets revealed that Charlie would have only had a few days left to live at most without medical attention.

Raising money online, Vari paid for the pooch's health bills and received daily updates on his progress. After a few weeks, she opened an email containing a photo that showed specks of hair regrowing on his once-bare skin and 'burst out crying'.

In August, almost four months after she met Charlie, Vari flew back to Peru to bring him home to Los Angeles

The traveller said that although they had only met for 20 minutes more than four months before their reunion, Charlie new exactly who she was

Kissing upon their reunion, the happy duo headed to the airport to board their flight to LA

Writing on The Dodo, Vari said: 'His skin [was] raw, covered with mange that resembled parasitic volcanoes erupting hot lava. He mirrored a reptile with scabs covering the majority of his frail body. I swear, I could hear his vacuous wailing stomach. My heart sank as I kneeled down to comfort him.

'In August, almost four months after I met Charlie, I flew back to Peru to bring him home to Los Angeles. When I walked through the gate at the shelter, my heart pumped so much blood I almost fainted from excitement. 

'We only met once, for about 20 minutes, a few months back, but when he saw me, he knew exactly who I was. He almost tipped me over with his kisses.'

After flying over to Peru, Vari took the pup back with her to her American home where he even joins her at yoga classes

Since then he has experienced a lot for the first time, including walking on a lead, riding - and being sick - in a car, and even his first relationship with fellow rescue dog, Gelsemina

After flying over to Peru, Vari took the pup back with her to her American home.

Since then he has experienced a lot for the first time, including walking on a lead, riding - and being sick - in a car, and even his first relationship with fellow rescue dog, Gelsemina.

Speaking about Charlie, who she is learning Spanish for as it is the only language he knows, Vari added: 'On a daily basis, he teaches me patience, and that love doesn't know colour, breed, age or borders. Every night now, I go to sleep every night with Charlie on my left, Gelsemina on my right and my book of 'Short Spanish Phrases' on my chest.'

Charlie stares through a window at the garden (left) and poses with his girlfriend, Gelsemina (right)

Vari said: 'On a daily basis, he teaches me patience, and that love doesn't know colour, breed, age or borders.'

The rescuer, who is learning Spanish to communicate with the pooch, added: 'Every night, I go to sleep every night with Charlie on my left, Gelsemina on my right and my book of 'Short Spanish Phrases' on my chest'