‘Britain’s loneliest dog’ Bob is sadly still looking for a home after spending 755 days with the RSPCA.
Poor Bob, three, first arrived at the charity’s kennels back in 2019 after he was found stray and injured.
He’s now been with the RSPCA for over two years, and has been overlooked for adoption more than a heartbreaking 200 times.
Staff, volunteers and behaviourists at the RSPCA’s Birmingham Animal Centre have been worked for roughly 18 months to help prepare Bob for a forever home.
However, no one has chosen Bob yet, and he’s spent most of his life in kennels.
Jake Cowing, who has been taking care of Bob, said: ‘We spent an extended period of time working with Bob behaviourally and helping prepare him for a new home.
‘And then, of course, lockdown hit and delayed us being able to find him a new home.
‘He’s such a fabulous lad with a great character and I hope we can find him the right family.
‘But he does require quite a special home, so we need to make sure it’s the right match.
‘Bob finds being restrained and walking on a lead incredibly difficult and has found kennels really challenging.
‘While he may look like a big tough lad he’s actually a really sensitive soul.
‘We believe, in the past, some well-meaning but misinformed techniques have been used to help Bob walk on a lead, so we’ve had to try to unpick these problems and start from scratch.
‘But as we got to know him we discovered that he is an absolute sweetheart.
‘He’s very friendly and loves to play. Once he trusts you, he is the most loyal companion and friend you’ll ever find.’
After months of careful positive reinforcement training, Bob was finally able to enjoy going for walks.
The big sweetie likes carrying a tennis ball around like a dummy, so he can chew it if he gets stressed out.
Yes, our hearts hurt, too.
Jake said: ‘Time never seems to be on Bob’s side.
‘He’d only just become available for rehoming when lockdown hit, and we had to close to the public.
‘His special needs meant that we would only be able to match him to someone once he’d spent time getting to know them and we couldn’t facilitate this due to the Government’s restrictions.
‘Now we’re partially open again we get lots of people admiring him and inquiring about giving him a home but, once they find out about all of his quirks, they seem to be put off.
‘Since Bob has been with us, he’s seen 221 of our dogs go off to their new homes, but he’s still here waiting.
‘Ideally we’re looking for a home with a large garden or private land big enough for Bob to exercise and play without the need to go out on lead walks, at least until he’s settled and bonded with his new family.
‘We would provide ongoing support and guidance to any continued lead work, but we feel he’d be happiest in a setting where leads were not a daily necessity of life.’
Bob, who thrives with routine, familiarity and spending time with his friends, is looking for an adult-only home where he’d be the only pet.to experienced owners.
Jake said: ‘Two years is a long, long time – and Bob has spent more than two thirds of his life in kennels.
‘While we’ve done the best for him, we desperately want to see him in a home of his own with someone who can give him the life he deserves.
‘He has overcome a tough past and is our champion, a survivor and our friend. He’s a big, silly clown who will change the life of his adopters.
‘And anyone who takes him on will certainly change his.’
If you want to find out more about lovely Bob, you can do so via the RSPCA’s website or by emailing [email protected].
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