There are 14 dogs newly available from Dogs Trust Merseyside in the lead up to Christmas, including an Alaskan Malamute and even a Staffordshire bull terrier who'd never been walked.
All year round, staff at Dogs Trust Merseyside work to look after dogs whose previous owners are no longer around or able to give them a loving home. They couldn't do the work they do without people willing to take in dogs and provide them with foster or forever homes.
There are currently 44 dogs up for adoption from the rehoming centre based in Huyton, with 14 newly available in the lead up to Christmas. With animal rescue charities warning of an "animal welfare crisis" people struggle with the rising cost of living, and the freezing weather putting the lives of animals and humans at risk, it's more important than ever for these dogs to find a warm and welcoming place to live.
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Georgina Lowery, manager of Dogs Trust Merseyside's rehoming centre, which opened a dog food bank for owners struggling to cope, said: "Dogs find themselves with us for a variety of reasons such as illness in the family, a change in working hours or accommodation or someone having to move into a care facility.
"Whatever the reason, it is always heart-breaking for owners to have to hand over their dog. But we can guarantee they will get everything they need whilst they are with us whether that’s off site walks, additional snuggles, training, treats, toys or just sitting with a member of the team or a volunteer watching the world go by.
"We are really proud that we are here and able to take care of them until the time comes for them to head off to their new homes and enjoy adventures with their new families. Whether someone wants to welcome a young dog or an older dog into their life, or they are looking for a large or small four-legged friend, we would encourage everyone to think about adopting.
"We look after dogs until they find their forever homes, however long it takes, and we do become attached to them but we are never happier than when we see them happily heading home to enjoy life and great adventures with a loving family."
Danza
Danza was in "a poor state" and in "desperate need of a brush" due to her owner's ill health when she arrived at Dogs Trust Merseyside. The seven-year-old enjoys being made of a fuss off, attention she'd been lacking until coming to the centre and being "spoilt rotten" in a foster home.
The active German shepherd has her nose to the ground as she explores her environment, but the stairs are a little out of her reach these days. She loves greeting new people and welcomes the postie on their rounds. Dogs Trust said: "Danza is just so friendly and well mannered and loves to settle down with humans, and she's going to make someone very, very happy."
She needs to be the only pet at home, but the house-trained dog can live with kids aged 10 and above, and she can be left alone for three to four hours once she's settled in. Danza is "very smart" and knows some commands like sit, high five and even a little wave. She loves to be fed from a puzzle feeder where she has to work out how to get to her food.
Frankie
This beagle cross happily greets her handlers when it's time for a walk, and she loves being made a fuss off. The "people-orientated" dog gives affection in return, but she hasn't played with toys much while at the centre, although this might change with confidence and a family environment.
Frankie can live with kids over the age of six, and she needs to be the only pet at home. She is house trained, but she needs someone at home with her most of the time because she suffers from separation anxiety.
Luna
Luna had been living in "very poor conditions", had never been walked and had never seen another dog before arriving at Dogs Trust Merseyside. The charity said: "Everything is new to her and although most of it is very exciting, she could very easily be overwhelmed at the moment, so we're introducing her to new things slowly."
She needs a patient family who are wiling to do basic training, including house training, in a home where there are no other pets and any kids are 10 or older. She's "incredibly bright and friendly" and full of curiosity. She has walked with the centre's quieter residents and she should be encouraged to mix with calm and confident friends outside home to teach her some skills.
Luna can be "quite mouthy" when excited, but she responds very well to training and sits for treats. Dogs Trust said: "She's going to make a wonderful family member and she deserves the best."
Misty
This easy-natured 13-year-old Alaskan Malamute "almost purrs instead of howling". Misty happily waits her turn for walks while wagging her tail as she rests on her duvet, watching all the comings and goings. She loves to be groomed, which needs to been done regularly to keep her coat in good condition.
Misty, who doesn't like to be alone, needs a patient family who are "happy to be her almost constant companion". She'll need to be the only pet at home, and may need a house training refresher, but she can live with kids of high school age. She has some age-related stiffness in her hips, for which she needs daily supplements, but she happily plods about with her handlers.
Dogs Trust said: "Misty walks alongside other calm dogs who don't particularly want much interaction, but sadly due to an incident some years ago in the home, she needs to be walked muzzled when outside. She accepts it without a problem and it doesn't take away any of her enjoyment when out on a walk."
Nimbus
Dogs Trust has "no idea how Nimbus came to be straying, but at least he's now warm and safe with us". He's an excitable young border collie who's always keen to greet people he knows, but he can be wary of strangers. By letting him come to you first, he gains confidence and will be desperate for you to make a fuss of him.
Nimbus needs a patient family who'll take their time with him and who have no other pets. He can live with kids aged 15 and above. He doesn't appear to have had much contact with other dogs and doesn't know how to behave around them. He might bark back if they bark at him, but he's generally friendly, even if a little pushy.
Having calm and confident dog friends outside the home could help improve his social skills and build his confidence. He's a nervous dog who loves exploring, but he can be surprised by unfamiliar objects, occasionally stopping to suss them out.
Dogs Trust said: "As we know nothing about his past, we cannot guarantee that Nimbus is house trained and he would need someone who is at home for most of the time."
Oreo
This "boisterous" American bulldog cross is a "big and very enthusiastic boy" who needs an active family with experience of the bull breed and a willingness to put time into training him. He loves being out and about, appears to have no basic training, and is very strong on the lead.
Oreo has "a tendency to grab his harness and lead at times", but he works well for food, even if training will "take a little work". He's very friendly with people, albeit "just a tad over-excited", and he will walk with other dogs. He "tends to greet them at 100mph" and would benefit from having calm friends to walk with so he can "learn a little etiquette" and some social skills.
He needs to be the only pet at home, and any kids living there or visiting must be aged 14 and over. Dogs Trust said: "We cannot guarantee that he is house trained, but it is likely."
Scooby
Scooby's love of fuss and attention "comes in handy as he needs regular grooming". Energetic and "bright as a button", teaching him tricks and commands will be a fun way of building a bond with this Pomeranian. He's quite playful with well-matched dogs, and he shares his kennel at Dogs Trust's centre, so he could live with another dog.
It would have to be calm and confident, "nothing too OTT" as he's had a negative experience with a dog in the past, according to the charity. Scooby can be "a little vocal" if he sees a dog out and about that he can't say hello to, but a toy or tasty snack should distract him.
He's previously lived with a cat and could potentially do so again, and any kids in the home must be over the age of 10. He's fully housetrained and can be left alone for roughly three hours once settled into his new home. Dogs Trust said: "As Scooby is waiting for some complex dental surgery he is currently looking for a foster home, with a view to adopt once his procedure is complete and he has recovered.
"Because of this, his adopters must live within about 40 minutes of the centre as he'll need regular check ups and after care."
Sebastian
This "nervous" Staffordshire bull terrier cross struggled to settle into centre life at first. Now he gets giddy when he sees his main handlers and runs to greet them. Sebastian needs a patient family in a home with no other pets. He can live with teenagers and he is house trained, but he isn't used to being left alone.
He loves to sit with them and have his bum scratched or his chest rubbed, but it takes him a little while to get to this point, so his new family needs to be patient so he can flourish as his confidence grows every day. He's learnt to play since arriving at the centre, but he sometimes still needs encouragement to get going.
Sebastian "really does not care for other dogs, and he will be reactive when he sees one", so he needs to be kept on a lead when out walking. His new family needs to walk him at quiet times when there are fewer dogs to encounter, and they can make use of dog exercise field for hire to let him off his lead.
Dogs Trust said: "Seb has had some basic training and has quickly learned how to wear a muzzle. His trainers make it fun for him, and his adopters will need to keep this up in the home."
Sophie and Elsa
This mum and daughter duo are looking for a foster home while waiting for medical results. Sophie is "a sweet and confident girl who loves a good fuss but is equally happy to do her own thing". She plods around the centre for a sniff before settling down with her daughter Elsa for a snooze.
Elsa finds life in the kennel stressful, but she gets confidence from her "easy going" mum. She loves being out and about, greeting passersby with her waggy tail. She is house trained and knows basic commands already, and could learn more with some treats on offer.
Both beagles are house trained and could be left alone for three to four hours, but this is something they'll need to be built up to. They need to be the only dogs at home, with no cats, but they can live with kids over the age of eight as they can jump up.
Their foster carers will need to live relatively close to the Dogs Trust centre as they'll need multiple visits to the vet. Dogs Trust said: "Once we have the all clear from the vet we see no reason why they cannot be adopted together."
Ted
Once Ted the Jack Russell terrier has gained confidence, he'll "be your best friend, gently putting his paws up on your legs for a nice gentle fuss". He just "needs a moment or two to pluck up the courage to come and say hello at first".
He's looking for a home where he's the only pet as he can be "a little reactive" towards some dogs. His new family needs to continue training to help with this, along with slowly building up the amount of time he spends alone as he's not used to being left for long.
The house-trained dog can live with kids over the age of 14 in a home that understand "his need for space when he feels worried". Dogs Trust said: "Ted happily jumps into our vehicles, wagging his little tail expectantly, so he may enjoy travelling with his new family for some exciting new adventures."
Teddy
This "sweet little lad" can be very nervous and needs a quiet home with no other pets. He can live with kids of high school age, he is house trained, and he can be left alone for a couple of hours once settled in. The pug cross' new family must help him settle at his own pace without rushing him into anything.
Dogs Trust said: "When he's feeling confident, Teddy loves a good run around and goes from 0-100 mph in seconds. He loves to zip about off lead, tearing from one end of the field to the other in a flash."
Tiger
This "sweet and energetic young" French bulldog enjoys having dog friends to play with outside the house, but his over-the-top play style and vocalisation aren't always well received. He'd be best as the only pet at home, and he can live with kids over the age of 10.
Tiger knows some basic commands and would benefit from further training from a family willing to help build his confidence. He'll need to gradually increase the amount of time he spends alone as he's not fully house-trained. He hasn't shown much interest in toys at the centre, so his new family could show him how to play with them.
Dogs Trust said: "We believe that Tiger does travel well so would enjoy joining his new family on any adventures for new walking spots."
Toffee
At only 10 months old, Toffee needs a family willing to do plenty of training. he's quite nervous meeting new people, so he needs to be allowed to approach in his own time so he can "give you a good sniffing". After that, he's much more comfortable and will seek attention.
He'll need to be the only pet at home, and any kids must be 14 or older and understand his need for space. His new family will need to recognise his body language when he's signalling discomfort. He doesn't like to be bothered near his food, so he must always be left alone while eating.
The Staffordshire bull terrier would benefit from having dog friends to socialise with outside the home so he can build confidence and learn etiquette as he can be "somewhat over the top". He's not used to being left alone, so he's likely to bark or be destructive if he can't have company for much of the time.
Dogs Trust said: "Toffee is a sweet lad once he gets to know you and with the right training in place would make a wonderful friend for life. Our training team are always here to lend a hand and support adopters through the process."
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