Standing out in a crowded kennels can be challenging - but two overlooked dogs refuse to give up on hope.
Brothers Solly and Sammy have spent about five years at Barking Mad Dog Rescue after being picked up from a public shelter as puppies.
But staff say "no one has noticed" the cuddly dogs despite their adorable habit for wrapping their paws around people for a hug.
Hilary Anderson of Barking Mad Dog Rescue, said: "Brothers Sammy and Solly are just the best boys. We love these two goofballs.
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"They love interaction with their carers and would absolutely love to be out and about enjoying life rather than being stuck in a pen."
Although the crossbreed dogs can be rehomed separately, the team at Barking Mad Dog Rescue would love to secure them a home together.
"Both are quite big lads, lanky youths at present. They need the chance of good exercise to build some muscle too," said Hilary.
"Solly and Sammy are available for adoption separately. They would love a home with another dog from home to learn the ropes, but this isn’t essential."
Hilary, from Scotland, launched Barking Mad Dog Rescue after rescuing her dog Pixie following a Facebook appeal.
She said: “Pixie lived in a park in Bucharest, with her mum, brother and six other dogs.
“They were fed, vaccinated and neutered by a woman who wanted to help the park strays.
“The pack survived the best way they could. Winters were harsh. Their guardian built them a kennel and locals smashed it to pieces.”
But their lives changed in 2013 when new laws came in ordering strays to be rounded up and killed.
“Pixie, like many others, found herself in a privately-owned shelter.
"Although safe from the dog catchers, Pixie had lost everything else - her freedom and her life. She stopped eating and couldn’t get used to life behind bars.
”In desperation, the woman who had cared for Pixie in the park posted her on Facebook asking for someone to take her away from Romania and give her the home she deserved.”
Hilary answered this plea and ended up adopting Pixie alongside two other dogs, Elsa and Kirsty, before starting up her own rescue.
The Barking Mad Dog Rescue team now return to Romania every two months to visit their own shelters in Constanta.
If you're interested in rehoming Solly and Sammy, or any other dogs under Barking Mad Dog Rescue's care, submit an application through their website www.barkingmaddogrescue.co.uk.
Do you have a story to sell? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
