A former stray dog who is hoping to find a loving forever home himself is lending a helping paw to rescue dogs whilst they find their feet at Dogs Trust Merseyside.
Seven-year-old Alfie, who has spent much of his life in kennels, has proved to be the perfect pooch mentor when it comes to providing support to his canine companions when they first arrive at the rehoming centre.
“He is an absolute sweetheart when it comes to helping other dogs that are less confident than him,” Vicky Lester, Dogs Trust Merseyside Assistant Manager, says. “Obviously when dogs first arrive some adjust really quickly but others take a bit longer and that’s when we get Alfie on board to help!”
One of the dogs Alfie has been helping recently is Dixie, an eight-year-old Shar Pei who found himself at Dogs Trust Merseyside after a change in his family’s circumstances meant they could no longer spend the time with him that they wanted to.
Dixie found the rehoming centre environment overwhelming and in his first few days, despite the team’s best efforts, didn’t want to play and wasn’t even enthusiastic about going for a walk.
That all changed when he met Alfie.
“Dixie is doing wonderfully now, and it is all thanks to Alfie,” Vicky says. “Alfie really understands immediately what each dog needs. With Dixie he just walked alongside him which immediately gave Dixie confidence and he is now raring to go on walks and is very happy.
“He also helped a beautiful, big Boxer come out of her shell too. Thanks to Alfie showing her the way, she now has fantastic off-lead play sessions with other dogs, with Alfie keeping a close eye and even intervening if he thinks things are getting a bit boisterous! He is amazing, but sadly he himself hasn’t found his forever home yet. Although we would miss his help, nothing would make us happier.”
Alfie likes to build strong bonds with people so is looking for a home with a single person where he is the only pet. He loves to go out on long walks but is an affectionate boy too and enjoys having a fuss made of him.
“As Alfie needs a home with a single person it is of course more difficult for us to find exactly what he needs but he is a fantastic little dog and he just needs someone who understands him as much as he understands other dogs,” Vicky adds.
To find out more about Alfie, please call 0300 303 0292 or visit Dogs Trust Merseyside at Whiston Lane, Liverpool, L36 6HP. It is open 12pm-4pm, every day except Wednesday when it is closed. You can also find out more at www.dogstrust.org.uk
