Former stray at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury hopes to escape to the country after 18-month wait for a new home

The centre is currently caring for an array of ‘pawsome’ pooches but one in particular, who was found wandering the streets alone, is looking to escape to the countryside to enjoy peace and quiet and rural walks.

Three-year-old German Shepherd Cross, Tyson, arrived at the rehoming centre as a stray in spring last year and has since enjoyed life in a foster home. However, the team at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury are now looking for a forever home for him.

Assistant manager at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury, Sophie Ashton said: “Whether home is a country cottage, a farmhouse or a house in a quiet village, Tyson won’t mind at all as long as he can head out on woodland walks, hillside hikes or riverside rambles, especially if they include a chance to paddle, without the need to get into a car as he’s not a fan of traffic or travelling.

“He has been loving life with his foster family and has thoroughly enjoyed staycations at campsites and even in luxury hotels, always being the perfect guest and loving the attention. So, if there ever was a dog that was designed for an active family that lives in walking distance from fields, woodland and canal paths leading to a quiet pub, Tyson could be that dog.”  

The centre in Shrewsbury aims to find all dogs a loving forever family.

Staff carry out thorough behavioural and veterinary assessments and get to know each dog’s likes and dislikes so they can be matched to the right home.

Through Tyson living in a foster home, Dogs Trust Shrewsbury said the team has learnt a lot about him and are confident that if he joins a loving, high-energy family, who are happy to carry on with this training, then he will settle in well.

Sophie added: “We don’t know what Tyson experienced whilst he was a stray, but we have discovered he doesn’t like cars, which is one of the reasons it has been difficult to find a home for him, and why we are appealing for a rural home with lovely walks from his front door.

“Thanks to the training team and his fosterers, he is now happy to jump in a car and will sit and admire the view, but once the journey is underway, he tends to bark. He has come on in leaps and bounds and we have no doubt that in time when he knows greater adventures await after a short trip with his family, he will get more used to travelling.

“He is a brilliant dog to be around. He loves people, is very playful, adores football and is very clever. He loves learning new things and showing off his tricks – many of which are quite advanced. He can crawl on command, run to a spot and place his paw on it and best of all, balance a small ball on his head which is amazing to see and attracts a lot of attention when he’s out and about, which he laps up.

“Tyson is a great example of a dog who is wonderful, but just needs that special family to come along who are the perfect match for him. He is house trained, sleeps well overnight and is happy to snuggle up on the sofa. What more could anyone ask from a four-legged friend?”

You can find out more about Tyson and all of the dogs waiting for homes at Dogs Trust Shrewsbury by visiting dogstrust.org.uk/shrewsbury.