Dogs Trust Merseyside are celebrating after finding 12,000 dogs their forever home.
There is cause of double celebration at Dogs Trust Merseyside after celebrating finding 12,000 dogs their forever home, as the 12000th dog found herself without a home for the second time.
Staff at the Huyton-based rehoming centre spotted 18-month old Rottweiler Cross, Athena running around their grounds in 2015.
She appeared to have been abandoned at the rehoming centre but was fortunately coaxed to safety by staff. In the coming days, after nobody came forward to claim the bouncy youngster, the team soon found her a new home.
Sadly, after being happily settled in her how for more than three years, her new owner recently passed away and whilst everyone celebrated the New Year, Athena found herself amongst old friends at Dogs Trust Merseyside.
Georgina Lowery, Dogs Trust Merseyside Rehoming Centre Manager, said: “Athena made lots of friends when she was first at the rehoming centre nearly four years ago, so it was with heavy hearts that we saw her come back to us again in such sad circumstances. She is absolutely beautiful, and we were all hoping that it wouldn’t be long before someone fell for her.”
And that is exactly what happened. The Massey family from Winsford had been considering getting a dog for some time after their Lurcher, Mitsy had passed away in 2016.
Kevin Massey said: “It felt the right time to get a new dog and we knew there would be lots looking for new homes in the New Year so after Christmas, my wife Andrea started looking at the Dogs Trust website. She knew I would like a Rottweiler and she spotted Athena. As soon as I read about her, we knew we wanted to meet her.”
Kevin and Amanda along with their son Keelan and daughter Kendra, headed off in the hope that they would be the right family for Athena and they were.
Kevin added: “We were told all about her history and it was heart breaking to hear what she had been through. Then we got to meet her, and we fall in love with her straight away. We spent a few hours with her, we couldn’t drag ourselves away.
“Misty had been very lively, and we thought Athena would be the same, but she’s incredibly chilled. She loves getting out on great walks, but she also thinks she’s a lap dog sometimes and loves a cuddle. We have never had a rescue dog before and would definitely recommend it. She is simply a lovely dg and to know that she’s the 12,000th to be rehomed is fantastic.”
Georgina added: “It’s always special when we reach a landmark figure like this and given what Athena has been through, it’s extra special. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported us since we opened in 1999 and especially to people like the Masseys who have chosen to rescue for the first time and given Athena another chance of happiness.”
To find out about all the dogs waiting for new home at Dogs Trust rehoming centres, you can visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.
