Whippet puppy Freddie, who earlier this year was saved from being put to sleep by vets in Northern Ireland before being rescued by Dogs Trust, will celebrate his first Christmas surrounded by love in his forever home in Cumbria.
Adorable Freddie, who will be just over eight months old by Christmas, has experienced a lot in his short life. He and his six siblings were underweight and suffering from a skin condition when their breeder took them to a vets in Northern Ireland to be put to sleep. The vet asked their owner if they would sign the puppies over to their care which was agreed, sealing their fate for the happiest of futures.
The pups were then taken into the care of the local pound, from where they went into foster care to be treated before being rescued by Dogs Trust through the charity’s Chance of a Lifetime scheme (COAL). The scheme rescues dogs that are in council pounds in Northern Ireland, transferring them within the UK to one of the charity’s 21 rehoming centres.
The Dogs Trust transfer centre team based in Penrith collected Freddie and his siblings in June. Freddie and another pup, who were the weakest from the litter, remained in foster care in Cumbria where they were fed four times a day to help them gain weight. The remaining pups were transported to other Dogs Trust centers for rehoming.
Within days of being in Cumbria, Freddie found an admirer in Sammy Kendal who works as a receptionist at the local vets where he went to be checked. Just seven days after arriving in the county, Freddie found his forever home with Sammy.
Speaking about the instant connection with Freddie, Sammy who lives in North West Cumbria said: “I first met Freddie when he came through the doors of the vet where I work, and I fell instantly in love with him. He was so small and fragile but had the biggest heart. It didn’t take him long to show his personality, he is very funny, loves food and cuddles on the sofa at night. He settled in very quickly, which is amazing as we also have a four-year-old spaniel called Heidi who loves him as much as we do.
“Freddie is well known now as he comes to work with me and loves meeting people and playing with the other office dogs. We are looking forward to Freddie’s first Christmas with us, which will be spent with friends and family. He will be spoilt by everyone, and our annual Christmas family walk with be even more special with Freddie by our side.”
Lisa Spence, Manager of Dogs Trust Cumbria, said: “We are so happy that Freddie’s story has a wonderful happy ending thanks to the vets, our Chance of a Lifetime Scheme and everyone who cared for him before he was adopted including his foster carer. It is what our job is all about, helping every dog that comes into our care find the right home for them and we can’t imagine a better match for Freddie. We are thrilled he has well and truly landed on his paws, is content and loved in his happy place this Christmas.”
There’s no place happier than a warm, comfortable home, surrounded by your loved ones.
Sadly, not every dog will be in such a happy place this Christmas. But at Dogs Trust we are here to help dogs who already have a loving family stay with them, and to help dogs looking for a forever home to find one. Every dog deserves a happy place – for Christmas, and for life.
To see all the dogs currently waiting to be adopted at Dogs Trust Cumbria visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/cumbria
