Both his physical and psychological health have actually been impacted by the back-and-forth nature of remaining in kennels
A Staffordshire bull terrier is amongst Britain’s loneliest dogs after spending over 500 days in care. The lonesome dog, who “just wants to be loved”, is still searching for a permanently home after having a rough start in life.
The Staffordshire bull terrier, called Duke, entered into care of the Blue Cross at the end of January 2022. His owner regretfully ended up being ill and was no longer able to look after him.
Duke, a 10-year-old pooch, hasn’t had a home for more than 460 days – the length of time he has actually invested with the Blue Cross charity. The puppy has actually been pulled down by possible brand-new owners who have actually neglected him after various appeals.
Staff state the pooch would make “a wonderful pet” and have actually been dealing with him to prepare him for a permanently home. He is presently remaining at the rehoming centre in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
“Duke found kennels so tough”
Sadly, nobody has actually wanted to provide the cute dog a home, in spite of being a “sweet and loveable boy brimming with personality”. Laura Coveney, a rehoming manager at Blue Cross, said: “Duke found kennels so tough, to the point it was affecting both his mental and physical health.
“He was so stressed and was not coping at all. He was then in and out of what we call ‘bed and breakfast’ foster care, which meant he didn’t need to stay in kennels overnight, but he still wasn’t coping with the back and forth.”
“He just wants to be loved”
Duke discovered himself in a long-term foster home with Christine Tilt, who ended up being a foster carer for Blue Cross in 2022 together with her late hubby. Christine said: “He’s got so much character.
“He just wants to be loved. It will just be so lovely to see him go to a new home. I know he’ll be happy and know that he’ll settle down easily as he’s so loveable, and very easy to live with.”
“He’s the ultimate rescue dog”
Laura sees Duke each week for training sessions and said he is the “ultimate rescue dog”. She said: “It’s frustrating that we can’t show what a lovely companion he is, and how easy he is to live with.
“It’s such a shame as he would perfectly fit into so many families’ lives. He’s the dog people are looking for – they just don’t realise it.
“And so, they don’t look in his direction. If you ask them what they want from a dog, it’s Duke. He’s the ultimate rescue dog.
“Duke’s the dog who proves the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is wrong. He’s learnt so much since he’s been with Christine. He’s just been really unlucky. It’s heartbreaking.”
