Staff at Dogs Trust Bridgend are appealing for a home for their oldest resident who is the human equivalent of 98 years old.
Taking the accolade is Tilly, who at 14 years old, found herself in the care of the Pen-y-Fai rehoming centre in February after her owners were no longer able to care for her. 
Tilly is currently receiving lots of love and care in a foster home through the charity’s Home from Home scheme but would love a forever home to call her own.
Well above the four-year old average for a dog in Dogs Trust’s care, Tilly is now keeping her paws crossed to find a new home for her retirement years.
But staff say the terrier still has a lot of love to give and is a sweet older lady, who is hoping to capture the hearts of new owners who can offer her a forever home in her twilight years.
Angela Weatherall, Dogs Trust Bridgend’s Manager, said: “It’s especially sad when older dogs come to us, but Tilly really deserves to find her special someone. Sometimes older dogs spend a longer time with us than their younger counterparts, but there are so many advantages to having an older dog. They usually tend to need less exercise, and most, like Tilly, are used to living in a home. With age on their side their personality is already shaped s new owners are able to really understand and appreciate the dog they are welcoming into their family.
“Tilly has lived in a home before and is friendly with everyone she meets. She loves pottering about on walks and carrying her toys around the garden. She would like to be the only pet in the home and could be left alone for a short time once she has settled in. We would like to hear from potential new owners who can offer Tilly a cosy bed where she can put her paws up and enjoy her retirement.”
The Bridgend rehoming centre often gets older dogs in their care and is currently home to six mature dogs who are over the age of eight.
They are keen to encourage people to consider the advantages of owning an older dog, which include:
- They might need less exercise but are still just as fun.
- They are used to living in a home so come house-trained and don’t have those mischievous puppy behaviours.
- Their personalities are already developed so new owners will be able to understand and appreciate the dog they are welcoming into their family.
Dogs Trust has lots of information and support available for anyone thinking of adopting an older dogs at www.dogstrust.org.uk.
