A rescue dog once dubbed by the press as the ‘wimpiest dog in the UK’ has celebrated her 16th birthday this month at home with her owner Louisa Murphy.
Anxious cross breed Bonnie was once afraid of the dark, telephones, doorbells and other dogs barking, she was scared to be left alone and her carers at Dogs Trust Glasgow had to give her a special coat to wear to give her a constant hug of reassurance. But in 2014, she was adopted by 18-year-old Louisa from Dunfermline.
Louisa, who now works in a pet hotel, paid the Dogs Trust rehoming fee for Bonnie with her first pay cheque from her Saturday job at the chemists after convincing her Mum to let her have a dog. Six years later, she says Bonnie is a different dog and taking her home transformed both of their lives:
Louisa said: “I was looking for a dog on the Dogs Trust website and when I read Bonnie’s story it just really struck a chord with me. I can be quite anxious too; Bonnie was just me as a dog!
“When she first came home, she was scared of everything and I wasn’t sure what to expect. After the first night where she couldn’t settle, Bonnie started to relax a little more and more each day and within a matter of weeks she was a completely different dog. Her anxieties melted away and having her has made me less anxious too.
“Getting Bonnie was honestly the happiest moment of my life.”
On 1 November, Bonnie celebrated her 16th birthday at home with an extra special dinner of chicken, mashed potato and gravy. She was also treated to a little doggy cupcake, two new toys and a new memory foam bed to help her with her joints.
Sandra Downie, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Glasgow said: “Bonnie is such a special girl and we are delighted we could help change her tale from anxious dog to beloved companion. From the canine carers and staff at the rehoming centre who worked hard to ease Bonnie’s worries, to the rehoming team who matched Bonnie with Louisa and provided support to help her settle in, there were so many people behind the scenes working hard to ensure Bonnie got her happily ever after. It’s wonderful to see what a difference that meeting each other has made to both of their lives.”
Dogs Trust estimates that up to 40,000 more dogs could be at risk of abandonment in the fallout of the coronavirus crisis.
If you would like to help change the course of events and help to continue to be there for more dogs and their owners when they need support, please give what you can by visiting www.dogstrust.org.uk/changethetale
