Former stray dog who loves being read to is hoping for her own furry-tail ending

The team at Dogs Trust Manchester are hoping one of their canine residents is about to turn the page and start a new chapter in her life after being found wandering the streets alone. 

Two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, Cardi, is a fun-loving girl but a volunteer at the Denton-based rehoming centre has found that once playtime is over, she is more than ready to snuggle up – with a good book. 

Laura Robinson, who has volunteered at Dogs Trust Manchester for six years, has been helping look after Cardi and loves spending additional time with her in her kennel. 

Laura, says: “Cardi is adorable. She gets really excited when it’s time to head out for a walk and to play; she has boundless energy. The team were finding that she found it difficult to settle when it was time to go back to her kennel so, as I have additional training that allows me to go into kennels with some dogs, I was asked to do ‘kennel cuddles’ with her.  

“As soon as I started chatting to her and sat down, she looked at me as though she was really listening and she immediately relaxed and settled down with me for a cuddle. So, the next time I decided to take a book in, and we’ve never looked back!” 

Laura now spends anywhere from between half an hour and two hours reading to Cardi and they have enjoyed several books together, covering everything from the tales of other rescue dogs to books focusing on relaxation and mindfulness. 

Laura says: “I love reading and the time flies when you’re having fun, which we definitely are, so I just keep going. She is such a gorgeous dog and it’s so lovely to see how happy she is now that she’s being cared for and loved by everyone at the centre. 

“I would love to think that when Cardi finds her forever home, her new family can carry on reading to her, knowing that they have provided her with her own happy ending.” 

Cardi is super-friendly with everyone, and she loves heading out in the car for a day trip. She prefers to be walked in quieter areas as she doesn’t like to be bothered by other four-legged friends. She has had sleepovers at the home of a staff member and was the perfect houseguest, snuggling up on the sofa and enjoying the comings and goings of home life.  She can live with children aged 14 and over and would like to be the only pet in the home so she can lap up all the love. 

If you think Cardi could be your ideal canine companion, please find out more about her at www.dogstrust.org.uk/manchester