Willow would like a home where she can enjoy the outdoors
A ‘gentle giant’ who loves bear-sized hugs is looking for a special home.
Three-year-old Caucasian shepherd Willow arrived at the RSPCA’s Bath Cats & Dogs Home as a stray on New Year’s Eve (31 December) 2022 – so has spent a long 15 months patiently waiting for the right home.
Julie Stone, Head of Animal Operations, oversees the care of Willow at the Bath rehoming centre. She said: “Willow is a beautiful dog, and in the right home will be a great companion.
“Weighing in at 43.5kg (6st 8lb) and with bear-sized paws she’s a big girl and will require a knowledgeable owner to give her a chance to thrive. She’s a gentle giant and she deserves a fresh start.
“Willow would struggle in a home without space to relax so a house with room where she can spread out and have a sleeping area of her own would be ideal, especially if she can enjoy lots of outdoor time. She is a hardy breed who needs more freedom to be outside.
“She’s looking for a new owner with experience over owning a large working dog who will be prepared to work on building a strong bond that will help her flourish.”
Willow would like an adult home where she’ll be the only pet, although she does enjoy socialising with other dogs when she’s out on walks. She is good-natured and friendly, but as a young dog is looking for adopters who can help her learn through reward-based training.
Sadly, Willow has also had her ears cropped – a procedure in which part of the ear or the whole external ear is surgically altered or removed for cosmetic purposes. This procedure has historically been carried out on Caucasian Shepherds but is illegal in the UK.
Ear cropping can cause life-long health, welfare and social problems for dogs – but fortunately Willow is not struggling with any long-term effects.
Julie added: “Thankfully, Willow doesn’t seem to have been seriously impacted by having her ears cropped. She enjoys a fuss and will lean into you for a bear-sized hug but seems to understand her size and is very gentle. If you lie down, she’ll come and lay down next to you quietly.
“She’s very people-focused and when she has bonded with you she’s incredibly loyal. She greets her carer every morning with a wagging tail and smiley face.
“Willow enjoys going for walks and plods along slowly, taking every part of her surroundings in. She loves soft toys and likes to bound around carrying them in her mouth! When you give her a treat she’ll close her eyes while she chomps on it, like she’s really savouring the flavour!
“Willow is such a lovely girl that it’s hard to understand why she’s gone overlooked for such a long time. We fear that people are being put off by her sheer size and fears around the cost of owning a larger breed, particularly during the current cost of living crisis.
“Sadly, we’ve seen that larger breed dogs in our care seem to be staying with us for longer while the smaller breeds are being rehomed more easily.”
🦴 Find out more about Willow online or speak to the team at Bath Cats & Dogs Home by calling 01225 787321 or emailing [email protected].
🗣️ Join the RSPCA’s calls to crackdown on ear cropping – by closing a loophole that allows the importation of cropped dogs from abroad – by joining our Mutilated for Money campaign and contacting your MP.
💰Find advice about caring for your pets while keeping costs affordable on our online Cost of Living Hub.
🎂This year, the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. To find out how you can join our million-strong movement for animals, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.
