Two dogs who were terrified of humans and had never been outside are getting ready to spend Christmas in their new home after they waited over a year to be adopted.
‘Best friends’ Ronnie and Patch had spent the first six years of their lives living inside a house in the north of England with around 50 other dogs and had never been stroked, worn a collar or gone on a walk.
Rescued by the RSPCA back in March last year, they were taken to the charity’s Lancashire East Branch rehoming centre in Huncoat near Accrington, where staff patiently spent 15 months working with the nervous dogs to help them overcome their fear of people and the outside world. Ronnie, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross, also needed significant dental work and had to have most of his teeth removed.
Ian and Debra Jowitt, who live in West Yorkshire, had decided the time was right to start looking for another pet after they’d sadly lost their previous dog due to ill health earlier this year. They spotted the duo on the RSPCA’s Find a Pet site in April this year and decided to make enquiries.
“We’d always had dogs in our family and we read up about them and thought, why not give two of them a chance, they’re inseparable,” said Mr Jowitt. “We wanted to take on a rescue dog and for us it didn’t matter how far we’d have to travel.”
The couple made numerous trips to the Accrington centre to build a bond with Ronnie and Patch, often making the journey in their motorhome so they could stay nearby, and leaving items of clothing with the dogs to help them become familiar with their scent.
On 26 June, they finally brought them home, and the couple say they have been amazed at their progress since.
“It’s baby steps but that trust and bond is beginning to build,” said Mr Jowitt. “Even though they’d had an awful start in life, if you’re prepared to put in the time and effort you will get a lot of love in return.
“We’re watching them do things they’ve never done in their lives before and the barriers are beginning to come down. They know it’s their house, their safe place where they do things at their own pace with no expectations.”
The dogs, who have enjoyed a holiday in Scotland in the couple’s motorhome, are said to have taken ‘ownership’ of the sofa, while one of Pomeranian Patch’s favourite pastimes is pinching shoes.
Mrs Jowitt added: “There are times when they do their own thing but they always come back to check on one another. Patch is content to be groomed, but neither of them are overly keen on being fussed or stroked and maybe they never will be. But we’re in this for the long haul and in another year’s time who knows what their personalities are going to be like. They continue to amaze us every week and I think it shows that time can be a great healer.”
Jeanette Ainscough, manager of the Accrington rehoming centre, said Ronnie and Patch’s story showed why it was so important to carefully match animals to the right owners.
She said: “We get regular updates from Ian and Debra about Ronnie and Patch’s new life. It’s great to see how well they’ve settled and all the adventures they’re going on. They were extremely nervous dogs who needed a very specific sort of home and we’re over the moon that after a 15-month wait they have found such fabulous owners.
“Ian and Debra were fully committed from the start and visited the centre numerous times. They’ve been so patient with Ronnie and Patch and made these two little dogs their priority.
“We firmly believe the perfect match is out there for every animal that comes into our care – sometimes it just takes a little longer to find it, but success stories like this make it all worthwhile.”
While Ronnie and Patch may have found their forever home, there are many other animals at the Accrington centre who are still waiting to be adopted. Details of them all can be found on the centre’s website.
You can help the RSPCA’s Lancashire East branch to rescue and rehome more dogs like Ronnie and Patch by donating to our Join the Christmas Rescue appeal.
