As the saying goes – a dog is for life and not just for Christmas, or lockdown.
And as we enter 2022, unwanted canine companions across Merseyside are hoping this is the year they find their forever home.
Rescue centres and kennels work tirelessly every day to save and better the lives of dogs and other animals in their care, but nothing pleases the volunteers more than the day when they get to rehome their temporary residents into permanent homes where they can settle into life with their new family.
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Each pet comes with their own challenges and obstacles borne out of their start in life, but each presents a perfect opportunity to add a valuable member to your family.
Here we've profiled the eight dogs that are currently residing in Friends of Birkenhead Kennels on Corporation Road and Carla Lane Animals in Need on Spurrier's Lane who will be hoping for a better 2022 and getting their very own sofa to hog.
To enquire about any of the listed dogs below, contact the rescues directly.
Rosie
Breed: White Bulldog cross
Age: 8 years old
Location: Friends of Birkenhead Kennels
Type of home: Rosie is a loveable girl who is so friendly & affectionate with everyone she meets, though she can be strong on the lead and can be reactive to other dogs and cats passing sometimes. She will need an owner(s) who is able to manage this and do further training with her. An active home would suit Rosie as she loves being out & about, but also a calm & quiet home as well as she loves to have a good snooze when she has company.
Can she live with: Dogs? No Kids? 14 years and over Small animals? No Cats? No.
Diago
Breed: Brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross
Age: 18 months old
Location: Friends of Birkenhead Kennels
Type of home: Diago will need an active home where he can continue with training and socialisation. He can be a bit unruly at times so needs a confident owner who has the time & patience to show him the right way to behave. He can be strong on the lead so further training will be needed with this.
Can he live with: Dogs? No Kids? 10 years and over Small animals? No Cats? No.
Rocko
Breed: White American Bulldog
Age: 4 years old
Location: Friends of Birkenhead Kennels
Type of home: Rocko is a shy boy so would benefit from a calm & quiet home as sometimes he does get a little spooked by loud noises or sudden movements. He loves his walks so an active home is needed.
Can he live with: Dogs? No Kids? 12 years and over Small animals? Yes Cats? Yes, previously lived with a cat.
Nala
Breed: German Shepherd
Age: 18 months
Location: Carla Lane Animals in Need
Type of home: Nala is a petite girl, she is very friendly and affectionate. Nala is a very active girl, she’s used to long walks and adventures so her new home must be very active. She needs an experienced dog owner, she is a strong girl and can be reactive to dogs on a walk so her handler must be physically capable and willing do some training, please do not apply if you don’t think you can commit to this.
Can she live with: Dogs? No Kids? 16 years and over Small animals? No Cats? No.
Dudley
Breed: Bullmastiff Cross
Age: 2-3 years old
Location: Carla Lane Animals in Need
About him and the type of home he needs: Dudley arrived at Carla Lane in a horrific and emaciated state and it was quite obvious he had been through a lot of trauma in his short life. He has been undergoing training and has come on leaps and bounds.
Sadly, Dudley is a long term dog and is needing a special home, he is much more comfortable and happier in a quieter environment, taking this into account he needs a home with no more than two people. All people in the household must be confident dog handlers, experienced in larger breeds and happy to continue training this lovely lad.
He loves his toys and you will always find a ball very close by!
Dudley walks amazing on a Kumfi Kalmer, he is really starting to love his walks and would love an active and physically capable owner.
Can he live with: Dogs? No Kids? No Small animals? No Cats? No.
Lola
Breed: Shepherd Cross
Age: 10 months old
Location: Carla Lane Animals in Need
Type of home: Lola is a large shepherd type dog about 10-months-old. Her adoption failed due to no fault of her own. Her adopters said she was an affectionate dog who was clever and enjoyed the company of people. She has lived in foster with a number of dogs and cats and Carla Lane feel a home with another dog would benefit her - though not a necessity.
Lola enjoys playing with toys and asks the other dogs to play. She is calm and relaxed. Having only arrived in the country at the end of November Lola is only just starting to go on short walks but her confidence is growing each time.
Can she live with: Dogs? Yes Kids? 13 years and over Small animals? Yes Cats? Yes.
Harpo and Zeppo
Breed: Large cross
Age: 2-3 years old.
Location: Carla Lane Animals in Need
Type of home: To be rescued as a pair, brothers Harpo and Zepp were originally found by a river, left to die at only six months old. Since then, Harpo and Zeppo have been nursed back to health but unfortunately have lacked in socialisation. Carla Lane said building their confidence hasn’t been easy, they were shy and wary and didn’t understand the use of a lead, often protesting to not come out of the kennel.
Fast forward a few months, the brothers now love their walks and get excited at the sight of a lead. They have settled so well and we are now confident that with patient, understanding owners they will thrive in a home.
Harpo and Zeppo will take time to get to know a new person so the person must be committed to coming to meet them on numerous occasions. They cannot be rehomed with other dogs as they must be rehomed as a pair. They need an adult only home, ideally with experience of nervous/foreign dogs.
Can they live with: Dogs? No Kids? No Small animals? No Cats? No.
Shell
Breed: Bordeaux cross Staff
Age: Two years old.
Location: Carla Lane Animals in Need.
Type of home: Shell arrived at Carla Lane after finding herself in a dog pound and if it wasn’t for the kind hearted staff and volunteers at the pound it is likely Shell wouldn’t have made it out. When she arrived she was very scared, she wasn’t comfortable at all getting in and out of the transporters vehicle and wasn’t comfortable being touched and wanted safe space.
It didn’t take long for the rescue to see her true personality unravel - playful, sweet and very affectionate.
She loves food and a cosy bed to snuggle up in. She doesn’t want for much. She is not a bit of bother indoors and really is a couch potato but will need a capable handler to walk he
Can she live with: Dogs? No Kids? No Small animals? No Cats? No.
