The dog hoping for a 'Christmas miracle' after being in shelter for nearly five years

A DOG is hoping for a “Christmas miracle” after being in a shelter for almost five years.

Cassie, a six-year-old Rottweiller cross, has spent more than 1800 days at Dogs Trust West Calder, earning her the title of “the most overlooked dog” at the shelter.

She has only ever spent one Christmas in a home, when she was a puppy in 2019.

(Image: Dogs Trust West Calder) (Image: Dogs Trust West Calder) The following year, Cassie was handed into Dogs Trust care due to a change in her owner’s circumstances which meant they could no longer look after her.

She has remained in Dogs Trust care ever since.

Cassie is described by her carers as a “clever, charming and fun-loving girl with a zest for life”.

She would be best suited to a calm and quiet household in a rural location where can can enjoy walks in peace and quiet and partake in her “favourite pastime”, playing with squeaky toys.

She could live with children aged 16 and over, where she is the only pet, and would prefer a secure garden where she can play.

(Image: Dogs Trust West Calder) Cassie is one of 55 dogs who are in the care of Dogs Trust West Calder over Christmas.

The shelter is celebrating by “spoiling” the dogs with presents – which members of the public can donate towards by clicking here – as well as a Christmas dinner, giving them “lots of fuss so they will know it’s a special day”.

‘All our dogs deserve to find their happy place’

Susan Tonner, manager at Dogs Trust Wester Calder, said: “Cassie is a very clever and playful girl who we all adore.

“Since she arrived in 2020, we have found homes for hundreds of dogs, but Cassie continues to be overlooked by potential adopters.

(Image: Dogs Trust West Calder) “However, we know her special someone is out there and when they meet our charming girl, they will love her as much as we do.

“Our dedicated training team have spent a lot of time with Cassie, and she has progressed amazingly well with all aspects of her training.

“As she can be unsure of new people and dogs, Cassie was introduced to wearing a muzzle which she wears happily just like wearing a collar.

“Cassie responds well to her name and her lead walking is lovely. We also trained Cassie on car travel as she never used to get into a vehicle but now enjoys frequent offsite trips to new walking destinations and for playtime in an enclosed field.

(Image: Dogs Trust West Calder) “Cassie is a bright girl, so she learns quickly, and she is charm personified when after playtime she helps tidy up by putting her toys away in her toy box.

“She is affectionate with people she knows so once she has built the bond with her new owners, she will be their most loyal and loving companion.

“All our dogs deserve to find their happy place – for Christmas, and for life.”

To find out more about all the dogs available for adoption at Dogs Trust West Calder, click here.