A year after finding herself without a home, a Dogs Trust Manchester rescue dog has found happiness at the heart of a new family.  

Crossbreed Nala, now three, had to leave behind everything she’d ever known exactly 12 months ago after the much-loved dog could no longer be cared for due to a change in her family’s circumstances. 

Although most dogs that find themselves at the Denton-based rehoming centre head off with new families within a matter of weeks, sadly that wasn’t to be the case for Nala. 

As the seasons passed, she started to grow in confidence and show her cheeky personality, but it wasn’t until the dark winter nights came around once more, that Sarah Crosby and William Hedges spotted her and thought she could be the dog for them. 

Sarah says: “I’ve always wanted a dog but I was a nurse so it wasn’t fair as they would have been on their own too much. However, I now work from home and William had a dog that sadly passed away in 2021 so he had a dog shaped hole in his life.  

“I wanted a larger dog and we spotted Nala on the Dogs Trust website and went to meet her. It was love at first sight! We were pretty much head over heels from the moment she came bounding over to us. When we were told that she had been with them since January, our hearts went out to her. We met her a few times at the centre to build a bond with her and were happy to do whatever was needed to give her the best chance of being happy with us. She came for sleep overs and was great, and now she’s with us, forever! It’s a fantastic start to the new year!” 

Love at first sight - Sarah at home with Nala

In 2022, Dogs Trust Manchester found homes for more than 570 dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes with canine lodgers staying with the charity, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, for an average of just 46 days.  

Carol Margieson, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Manchester, says: “Last year was our busiest year with 50,000 enquiries from people facing the heart-breaking decision of handing over their dogs. Around 25 per cent stated the rise in the cost of living as a factor in their decision.  

“Nala came to us in January 2022, a time when we couldn’t have envisaged what was to come. She stayed with us longer than most as she was very nervous at first so we needed to take things slowly with her. She took to her training and soon started to grow in confidence too. It was great to see her reaction when she met Sarah and William as she took to them straight away. 

“However long it takes, we will look after dogs until the time is right for them to head home with their new family, just like the time came for Nala to start her new life. It’s wonderful that as the new year gets underway, Nala has found her happy ever after. We urge anyone that wants to welcome a canine companion into their life this year, to consider adopting a rescue dog to help us avert a housing crisis for dogs.” 

If you would like to know more about dogs waiting for their forever homes at Dogs Trust Manchester, go to www.dogstust.org.uk 

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