Dogs Trust Merseyside appeal for home for longest serving resident, Stella the Dog…

After exactly eight years in kennels, is Stella the most overlooked homeless hound in the country?

Staff at Dogs Trust Merseyside are desperately hoping a loving forever home is just around the corner for their longest serving canine resident who looks set to see the eighth anniversary of her arrival at the centre come and go on Wednesday (27 April).

Whilst 2008 was a year of celebration for some – Lewis Hamilton became the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, would-be Prime Minister Boris Johnson became Mayor of London and Barack Obama became US President Elect – Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, Stella, had little to celebrate.

Sadly, following the break up of her owners’ marriage, young Stella was left alone in an empty house for two months with her previous owners going back to feed her and let her exercise in the garden. Eight years later she has been ignored by more than 200,000 dog loving visitors who have chosen to adopt thousands of other lucky four-legged friends, but not Stella.

Jake Flatman, Assistant Manager, says: “So many of our dogs come to us after a relationship break up and poor Stella had a really tough time of it. It was a sad situation and it really knocked her confidence and led to her not trusting people.  As a result, when people she doesn’t know approach her kennel, she often barks and so people just carry on walking past. It’s heart breaking because she is such a sweet girl.”

At nine-and-a-half Stella is still full of fun and loves nothing more than a race around the agility course, as well as lots of fuss and cuddles.

Jake adds: “It just takes one person, that one special someone. Surely there’s someone out there that can give her the second chance she deserves? Once she knows you are going to be kind to her she is so loyal and once she knows she can trust you, she loves you and is a joy to be with!”

During her time with them, the staff have helped Stella understand the world isn’t as scary a place as she fears, and she now has a group of Canine Carers and volunteers who love spending time with her – and even sometimes take her home for a sleep over. She is taken for long off site walks and often to the beach to give her the chance to play in the sea, another of her favourite pastimes.

Jake says: “She is a real live wire but she also loves snuggles and we know she will be a wonderful companion. To be the best she can be, she just needs to be confident that she isn’t going to be abandoned again and that someone is going to love her forever, as she will love them.”

Although Stella is now an older lady, she loves to play and enjoys long walks. She gets along with other four-legged friends but she’d be best as the only dog in an adult only home so she can lap up all the love that’s on offer. To build trust her new owners would need to visit her at the centre a few times.

If you think you can be the one to finally offer Stella the home she deserves, please contact Dogs Trust Merseyside on 0300 303 0292 or visit the centre at Whiston Lane, Liverpool, L36 6HP. It is open 12pm-4pm, every day except Wednesday when it is closed. Find out more at www.dogstrust.org.uk