A dog named as Britain's loneliest has finally been adopted after spending 550 days in a kennel.
A long wait for a loving home
Danny the ex-racing greyhound spent 15 times longer than most dogs do at Battersea Old Windsor centre in Berkshire. The dog found parts of the outside world frightening, and it took Danny time to adapt to everyday life.
But 16 months later he is living his best life after new owner Sandra took a chance on the pup.
Love at first sight
Speaking with the BBC, Sandra said the time Danny had spent in the kennel is "heartbreaking" and that she couldn't stop thinking about the dog when she got back home. She said she felt an "instant connection" with Danny and opted to adopt him soon after realising.
Sandra had seen a post of Danny on the kennel's Instagram account and said she just knew there was something "incredibly special" about the dog. She said: "It was love at first sight, Danny was lovely and when we were leaving he gave me one last nudge and turned round to look at me, as if to say 'are you coming back?'."
Settling into a new life
Danny, now six, was rehomed two months ago and has settled in much faster than expected. Sandra called Danny a "loveable, gentle and sensitive" dog who is growing in confidence every day. Danny apparently spends his days running around in the garden and taking naps.
Sandra, a Year 6 teacher, had previously owned two cats and never intended to get a dog but says she couldn't resist just how loveable Danny is.
A happy ending
Zenya Green, rehoming team leader at Battersea Old Windsor, said: "Greyhounds like Danny are so often misunderstood, and it was heartbreaking to see such a sweet boy overlooked time and time again. Watching him head off to his forever home after more than 500 days with us was incredibly special and the true happy ending we were all hoping for."
