Rescue dog Diego hopes to be star player in home of his own

A tiny Chihuahua has found himself in need of a retirement home where he can rest his paws after his owner passed away.

Although at eleven Diego may no longer have the speed or fancy footwork of football legend Diego Maradona, who staff at Dogs Trust Kenilworth believe he may have been named after, he is certainly ready to take up his position at the centre of a new home.

Emma-Jane Thomas, Manager at Dogs Trust Kenilworth, says: “We think Diego has lived with the same owner since being a puppy, but sadly his owner passed away and Diego was left alone until he was brough to us. He has been through a lot and needed some dental surgery and a benign tumor removed, but he’s made a great recovery and is ready to find a new home.”

The team suspect Diego was named after the famous Argentinian footballer who was still making headlines in 2010, the year Diego was born, as Argentina’s World Cup manager. Now they are hoping that their four-legged Diego can be the one to steal the limelight, and the heart, of a new family.

Diego arrived at the Honiley-based rehoming centre in January and although it took him a while to find his paws, he is now showing his cheeky personality. He’s looking for an adult only home without other pets so that he can settle in at his own pace and enjoy all the attention on offer. A garden to potter around would be perfect for Diego, because when it comes to meeting up with other dogs, he isn’t a team player, preferring to keep himself to himself.

Emma-Jane says: “Diego is an absolute delight and has proved himself to be a resilient older dog, coping well with everything he has been through. We would like him to meet his new owners regularly at the centre before he heads home, as getting to know them will give him the best chance of settling in quickly.

“He is definitely ready to become a permanent fixture in someone’s home.”

Diego is on long-term medication for a heart condition.

If you think you could give Diego the loving home he is searching for, please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk to find out more.