Meet the dogs that found forever homes in 2023 after more than a year in kennels(Image: Dogs Trust Darlington)

Meet the dogs that found forever homes in 2023 after spending a combined total of 10 years in kennels

Flic, Simba, Milo, Walter and Badger spent a combined total of 10 years living at Dogs Trust in Darlington

by · ChronicleLive

Meet the rescue dogs that finally found their forever homes in 2023 after more than a year in kennels.

Flic, Simba, Milo, Walter and Badger spent a combined total of 10 years living at Dogs Trust in Darlington and witnessed many dogs come and go while they waited to be adopted. But in 2023, one by one their lucky day finally arrived and they said goodbye to live in a shelter and hello to loving new homes.

Simba, a six-year-old Japanese Akita Inu, waited the longest of this line up to find a forever home. He lived at the Darlington centre for four years before being rehomed on the anniversary of his arrival.

Meanwhile, five-year-old crossbreed, Flic, and Badger, a seven-year-old Lurcher, spent two years living at Dogs Trust in Darlington before being adopted.

Badger arrived at the centre in November 2021 from Ireland and staff had no information about his past life and he found his time in kennels stressful. Now his is living a new life in Prudhoe with owner Jacqui Dunn.

Jacqui said: "Badger is absolutely perfect in my eyes. He has his little quirks, including being uncomfortable when he sees other dogs, but I work around them as he works around mine. I am gobsmacked he was in kennels for so long and I feel it is my good fortune that nobody was interested in him as I couldn't ask for a sweeter dog.

Meet the dogs that found forever homes in 2023 after more than a year in kennels.

Flic

Five-year-old Flic finally found her forever home on April 24 after spending almost half of her life living at Dogs Trust in Darlington.
She arrived at the shelter in April 2021 and staff who cared for this "beautiful" crossbreed said she was a "super affectionate" girl once she got to know someone.
But despite her loving nature she was overlooked by potential adopters for two years.
When she arrived at the shelter, Flic didn't know what dog toys were but she slowly started to learn that they enjoyable thanks to the help of her carers at the shelter. She also found a love of snuggles on the sofa with her carers.
Now she is receiving all the love and affection she deserves in her forever home in Middlesborough.(Image: Darlington Dog's Trust)

Simba

Six-year-old Simba was finally adopted on the four-year anniversary of his arrival at Dogs Trust in Darlington.
The Japanese Akita Inu arrived on October 13, 2019, and in the four years he spent in kennels he witnessed many dogs come and go after finding their forever home.
Despite this, staff say Simba maintained a "real zest for life". He loved exploring with his nose and finding new walks, and even made some walking friends at the shelter.
On October 13 this year his lucky day finally arrived and he left the shelter to begin his new life at his home in Peterlee.(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)

Milo

Nine-year-old Milo arrived at Dogs Trust Darlington on March 26, 2022.
The "shy" Beagle cross spent almost 14 months at the shelter where he displayed a desire for a quiet home with few visitors, where he could enjoy the companionship he craved from his favourite people.
He has now settled into his new home in Selby after being adopted on May 17 this year.(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)

Walter

Seven-year-old Walter arrived at Dogs Trust in Darlington on May 23, 2022, where he spent the next year of his life.
During his time at the shelter, staff discoved that Walter loved playing and his tennis ball became his "best friend". But another way to his heart was with food, particularly cheese and hot dogs.
The Jack Russell Terrier also loved his walks and was really well behaved on lead.
Walter required a patient owner and a an adult only home with no more than two occupants and no visiting children. On June 20 this year he finally found his forever home in Durham.(Image: Darlington Dogs Trust)

Badger

Seven-year-old Lurcher Badger arrived at Dogs Trust in Darlington in November 2021 from Ireland. Staff had no information about his past life and he found his time in kennels stressful.
Sadly, the shelter became his home for almost two years as he attracted little interest from anyone looking to adopt a dog. But Badger's lucky day finally arrived in July after Jacqui Dunn from Prudhoe filled in an online application form to adopt a dog after losing her beloved rescue dog Otis to cancer in March.
Jacqui said: "Badger is absolutely perfect in my eyes. He has his little quirks, including being uncomfortable when he sees other dogs, but I work around them as he works around mine. I am gobsmacked he was in kennels for so long and I feel it is my good fortune that nobody was interested in him as I couldn't ask for a sweeter dog.
"When Otis died earlier this year, I missed the companionship and routine of dog ownership. I am 100% happier now having Badger by my side. He is brilliant with my grandchildren and we most enjoy walks and nights on the sofa together. My house is a home again after welcoming Badger into my life."(Image: Dogs Trust)