A nine-year-old rescue dog from Dogs Trust Salisbury is looking forward to spending his first Christmas in his new home after waiting a year and a half for someone to fall in love with him.

Woody originally came into Dogs Trust as a three-month old puppy and happily lived in a home until May 2019 where he found himself looking for a home once more due to a change in his family’s circumstances.

After waiting more than 450 days, lockdown proved lucky for Woody as that was when a couple from Gloucester spotted him on the charity's website, and welcomed him into their lives.

Owner Elizabeth Best said: “We can’t imagine life without Woody! He is just wonderful. I grew up with a Border Collie and always imagined owning a dog of my own one day, but our lifestyle wasn’t geared up for bringing a four-legged friend into our lives as we worked full time.

"But now I work from home, it meant I was in a position to give a rescue dog the time it needed and I knew it had to be a Collie! I saw Woody’s face online and I just couldn’t stop thinking about him! So I called up the next day, went through everything with the rehoming team and we decided we were a match for him!

"He is a nervous boy so it took him a little while to settle with us. But now he has, he enjoys getting up on the sofa and lives for playtime – it’s wonderful to see how much he has changed and how much he trusts us. He has grown in confidence so much as when he first arrived he was terrified about leaving the house, but now when you ask him if he wants to go for a walk, his tail won’t stop wagging!" 

Woody is one of many lucky dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes at Dogs Trust Salisbury who have found loving homes since lockdown began in March.

Claire Rowe, manager at Dogs Trust Salisbury, said: “Woody was with Dogs Trust for so long, but we are so happy we were able to change the tale for him and help him find his happy ending. It was fantastic to wave a fond farewell to him!  

“We’re delighted that he will be spending his first Christmas with Elizabeth and Stephen, getting all the love and affection he deserves. Seeing our dogs go to their new homes is why we do the job we do, and we are all absolutely delighted for Woody.”

Dogs Trust Salisbury is not open for public browsing, but people can still make an appointment to adopt or bring a dog to them.