From unwanted to much loved
Holden the bull terrier cross was big, powerful and looked a real handful.
Even though the SPCA staff and volunteers at Christchurch knew he was a big sweetie at heart, he had a look and size that made families pass him by and choose another dog to adopt.
He became anxious, and started going a little crazy when he was penned in at the centre. Months passed and he became one of the longest stayers.
But Holden had one big plus on his side. Volunteer Carole Worley knew he was a lovely dog and believed in the end a home could be found for him.
This story goes back to 2016. And it’s one of the reasons why Worley has been nominated for a national SPCA volunteer of the year award this month.
Holden arrived at the SPCA in about March 2016, aged 6.‘‘
Worley was on the ‘‘dog squad’’ which exercised and trained dogs. She saw Holden a lot. But as the months passed he started becoming stressed about being penned up at night. He started jumping in the pen, pacing, getting withdrawn.
In June, Worley agreed to foster him, to take him home to her Westmorland home and give him some family life.
‘‘He had a lovely nature and a lovely temperament. He just loved people. All the staff were totally in love with him. He was such a sweet, sweet natured boy. Sometimes he’d sleep under the desk in reception because he just loved being with people.’’
A big marketing campaign continued with Holden out and about as much as possible wearing his blue ‘‘adopt me’’ coat. But the weeks passed and the rejections piled up. He was taken home and then returned several times.
Carole stepped up again. She took Holden back to her home. She fostered him for five months, always believing a forever home would be found.
Then it happened. Jock and Tracey Houston, of Southbridge, were looking for a big dog companion for Cruise, their American staffie, after another dog had died. They took on Holden and the two dogs hit it off immediately, sleeping together in the same dog bed the first night.
It is the happy ending volunteer Carole had waited and worked so hard for. ‘‘I was so happy for him,’’ she said. Sometimes she visits with treats and he gives her a huge welcome.
Tracey Houston said they changed his name to Angus. ‘‘I didn’t like the name, it’s associated with his past.’’
She said he still had separation anxieties, and did like to be alone for more than an hour.
But it’s nothing the Houstons can’t manage. He’s part of the family now, and will be forever.