A dog that was found abandoned, scared and alone in a cemetery is getting ready to spend Christmas in his new home at the heart of his loving family.
Eight-year-old Crossbreed, Terry was discovered by a member of the public in a Manchester cemetery in April. Sadly, nobody came forward to claim him, so he was taken to Dogs Trust Manchester in Denton to be loved and looked after and nursed back to health.
Dawn Bishop, Dogs Trust Manchester Manager says: “It was heart breaking to see Terry when he first arrived. He was very underweight and needed urgent medical attention as his tail was badly damaged. Unfortunately, we had to amputate most of his tail so he as on pain relief and antibiotics and he also needed some dental work doing, but he was incredible. He soon started to bounce back.
“The outcome could have been so different for Terry if we hadn’t been able to step in. He came on in leaps and bounds which was so lovely to see, and then it was time to find him a forever home. That was when Doreen got in touch, who turned out to be a perfect match.”
Doreen Freeston had spotted Terry on the Dogs Trust website and having read his story decided he could be the dog for her after her 15-year-old Border Collie, Pippin, had died just a few weeks earlier.
Doreen, from Manchester, says: “The house didn’t feel like a home without a dog and I really missed the company and heading out on walks. So, I decided I wanted to give a home to a dog that had had a tough time, and Terry certainly had. As soon as I read about what he’d been through and the type of home he was looking for, I thought he could be the dog for me so I got in touch and luckily we proved to be ideal for each other.”
The first time Doreen and her granddaughter, Chelsea Weaver, set off to meet Terry at Dogs Trust Manchester in Denton, their car broke down but luckily a friend came to their rescue and they still managed to make the appointment.
Doreen says:“ We were so worried that we weren’t going to make it and we’d let Terry and the team down, but we got there and as soon as we saw him it was wonderful. It really felt like it was just meant to be. He is amazing; such a big softie and he has settled in brilliantly. He never tires of heading out for a walk and he can be very giddy and loves to play, but we also have lovely times just relaxing on the sofa together.
“He is such a happy, loving and lovely boy. I can’t imagine life without him. He’s definitely here to stay and I would recommend to anyone considering getting a dog, to adopt. I am so excited about spending the first of many Christmases with him. He will be getting lots of presents!”
Terry is one of more than 350 dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes that Dogs Trust Manchester has found loving homes for since the first lockdown began in March, but Dogs Trust fears that nationally up to 40,000 more dogs could be at risk of abandonment as a result of the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
Dawn adds: “Seeing our dogs go to their new homes is why we do the job we do, and we are all absolutely delighted that Terry will be spending Christmas with Doreen, getting all the love and affection he deserves. Sadly, we do expect to see more dogs finding themselves homeless in the coming months because of the pandemic, but we will be here to help. We will do everything we can to make sure they all find a new forever family.”
As dogs and their owners face hardships that could break them apart, Dogs Trust wants to be there to protect their bond and to make people aware of how the charity can help before their situation becomes desperate.
Dogs Trust wants to change the tale for thousands of dogs who otherwise would have nowhere to turn and want to remind people that they are there to help wherever possible, so if anyone is struggling and needs to give up their dog, to contact Dogs Trust on 0300 303 2188.
Alternatively, please give what you can to help Dogs Trust change the tale for dogs like Terry, by visiting www.dogstrust.org.uk/changethetale
