Tetley has gotten very good at waiting. Brought to K9 Friends at just four months old along with his mother and siblings back in January 2012, what was only supposed to be a few months has turned into years. Eight years to be exact. And the plea to find Tetley his forever home has now gone viral.
K9 Friends shared Tetley's story on social media, and the post has attracted immense interest. But while many people online have expressed an interest in adopting Tetley, it’s still important for those at the organisation to make sure they find the right home. Belinda Prince, who is the manager at K9 Friends, explains the situation is not always as easy as people make it out to be.
All the dogs at K9 live in pairs in a kennel with an air-conditioned inside area and their own run so they have constant companionship and access to both indoors and outdoors at all times. They play in groups of up to 10 dogs several times a day and they have a specially designed routine. They get exercise, socialised and groomed by volunteers and taken out on walks by members of the public.
Prince describes Tetley as a “happy boy who gets on well with his kennel mate but takes time to form new doggy friendships.”
She adds: “Dogs don’t think like humans and while we may feel we are giving them a sanctuary in our home, to a dog, any new environment is a big, scary new world. Imagine going from living in your own place with a friend to being in a huge giant’s home all on your own?”
The perfect home
For Tetley, the perfect home would be with a family that has patience and unconditional love for him.
"He is used to the environment here where he always has another dog with him and he gets to play with groups of dogs several times a day. He is used to companionship and having people around all day. He would not be able to cope being on his own for long periods as he is not used to it. He is nervous of loud noises and new experiences," says Prince.
"He’s not good with cats and would be better with older children who won’t startle him or jump on him. He needs someone with a lot of patience, who is home most of the day and who will have no expectations of him. He will need time to adjust to a new life."
K9 Friends is a shelter that rescues abandoned and stray dogs in the UAE and helps them find new loving homes. It was formed in 1989 and continues to help animals around the Emirates.
Tetley isn't the only dog needing a home. Here's a gallery of other dogs at K9 Friends:
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Mayo: Not quite one year old, Mayo was surrendered as he didn’t get on with one of his previous owners’ cats. He’s a bouncy boy who loves his walks and he has learnt to walk very well on a lead. He knows his basic commands and just needs a loving family to grow with. Vaccinated, neutered and looking for someone to go on walks with. -
Juliet: Brought to K9 Friends when her owners experienced financial difficulties, Juliet is used to a home. She gets along with people, other dogs and cats. At 7 years old, Juliet really deserves to find her forever home as she has so much love and loyalty to give a family. -
Atlanta: A nervous girl, Atlanta needs someone to give her love and security. She will be 3-years-old soon and would love to spend her birthday in a new home with cuddles from her own family. She loves other dogs and will happily cuddle up with new friends. Vaccinated, neutered and ready to meet her family. -
Stocking: Loves other dogs and loves playing. He doesn't have much experience with the outside world and would benefit from a home with another dog to teach him that life isn’t so scary. Stocking is looking forward to the cooler weather and going out on some walks and meeting new people. 2 years old, vaccinated, neutered and looking for love. -
Wilma: A 4-year-old girl that was sadly left behind when her family relocated. She’s a calm, gentle Labrador mix who is neutered and house trained. -
Zelda: Abandoned by her owner and brought to us by a neighbour, Zelda is rather shy and timid at first. She has been building her confidence at the shelter and we would love to see her in a home where she can continue to develop. Zelda is 18 months old, neutered, vaccinated and ready for her forever home. -
Morgan: A beautiful 2-year-old German Shepherd, Morgan is house trained and walks well on the lead. She was brought to us due to allergies and is ready to find her forever home now. She is fully vaccinated and neutered. -
Pandora: This 2-year-old girl has never known a home of her own. She’s sweet, gentle but a little shy and is looking for that perfect sofa with a loving family. Vaccinated, neutered and ready for adoption. -
Bendy: A beautiful Shepherd mix, he was found outside a villa in Abu Dhabi. He was looked after by a kind man until K9 Friends had space for him. He's 10-months- old now, neutered and ready to give a family lots of love. -
Rotana, Jumeirah, Raffles and HIlton: Meet some of K9 Friends' hotel pups. Part of a group of nine pups found at a Labour Camp at two weeks old, they were being looked after by two mums. The whole family is safe at K9 Friends now and the pups have been given names from well known hotels in the UAE.
Those who are interested in adopting Tetley can get in touch with K9 Friends on Facebook or by email at info@k9friends.com.
