Staff at Dogs Trust Salisbury believe ex-resident Queenie is the UK’s oldest dog at the grand old age of 21.
After being in their care for eight years, Queenie was eventually adopted in 2018 by Bridget Pike, who is now the rehoming centre’s interim Assistant Manager.
Bridget got to know Queenie over many years whilst she was a Canine Carer at Dogs Trust Salisbury and whilst they developed a loving bond, Bridget couldn’t offer Queenie the home environment she needed at the time. But once Bridget’s circumstances changed, she adopted, she adopted Queenie in 2018 and says she is showing “no signs of slowing down.” 
Queenie shares her home with two other golden oldies, also from Dogs Trust Salisbury – Bridget’s other rescue Terriers, ten-year-old Bonnie and 12-year old Bo. Despite a collective age of 43, they all enjoy a potter around in the garden and a walk in the forest.
Other than being on some medication for her joints. Queenie is happy and healthy and certainly as a zest for life – she even fought off a severe tooth infection and an inner ear problem last year, which temporarily left her with a head tilt.
Bridget says: “Queenie is one tough cookie. Despite the fact she can’t run around like she used to, she loves to be out and about in the fresh air. I got her a doggy pushchair that I can put her in when she’s had enough of walking but still wants to be outdoors.
“She’s almost completely blind but there’s nothing wrong with her sense of smell – she knows if I haven’t topped her dog food with cooked chicken and stands there looking up at me until I add it to her food.”
Queenie arrived at Dogs Trust Salisbury in July 201 from another Dogs Trust Rehoming centre after originally being found as a stray. She had worries around meeting stranger and being touched so the team placed her in their specialist Stepping Stones rehabilitation facility, where she lived happily amongst other dogs and had dedicated staff that could cater to her needs to help her be able to cope with the things that worried her.
When Bridget adopted her, Queenie spent the first two weeks hiding in the dining room. But she soon came out of her shell and gradually ventured in other areas of the home.
She has now well and truly landed on her paws and Bridget says she’s an ‘amazing dog’ who enjoys her food, getting an early night and the occasional ‘mad five minutes’, doing zoomies around the living room.
Bridget is keen to encourage people to not overlook the golden oldies in rescue centres who are looking for a second chance.
Bridget explains: “I feel so privileged to have been able to offer Queenie a happy home in her later life – I just wish I could have done it sooner. She does have some anxieties and worries but she’s actually the easiest dog I have ever owned.
“She brings so much joy into my life, I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She has so much character and it just goes to show that you shouldn’t overlook older dogs, there’s often still plenty of life and love left in them.”
Dogs Trust Salisbury has a number of older dogs in its care at the moment and are keen to encourage people to consider the advantages of owning an older dog, which include:
1 They need less exercise but are still just as fun!
2 They are used to living in a home so come house-trained and are not as destructive as a puppy!
3 Their personality is already shaped so new owners can really understand and appreciate the dog they are welcoming into their family.
If you think you could offer a dog the warm, loving home it deserves you can call 0203 897 0536 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk for more information.
