Troy
Troy arrived at the Shelter on 1 October 2025 after being found curled up in a ball next to the banks of the River Tyne near Newcastle Business Park.
He was found in a truly heartbreaking state. His coat was patchy with fur loss, he was covered in fleas, and his face and eyes were swollen, likely from whatever he had faced. He was soaking wet when he came in, and it is suspected that he may have been in the River Tyne shortly before he was found. At 11 years old, partially sighted and likely deaf, Troy had been struggling alone for far too long and had faced hardship that no animal should ever have to experience.
When he first arrived, our team acted immediately to make him comfortable. He was washed and treated to remove the fleas from his coat and he we warmed him up and fed him, as it was unclear how long he had been without food. With rest and medication, his facial swelling began to go down and as his pain eased, he started to look more like the dog he truly was.
Even in those early days, when he was tired and unsure, Troy gave us glimpses of his gentle and playful nature. He enjoyed spending time in one of our ball pits, nudging toys around and leaning in for attention, as all he wants is to be loved. He was still nervous, which was completely understandable after what he had been through, but there was always a softness in him that shone through.
As the weeks have passed, Troy grew healthier and more confident. He now looks forward to spending time with the staff who care for him and loves exploring the Shelter grounds. His favourite place is the big field where he can run off lead. He roams happily but often checks in with the person walking with him to see if they’re still there, not knowing that he will never be abandoned again.
In the true spirit of Christmas, Troy found his forever home the day before this story was published! Troy’s family fell in love with him as soon as they laid eyes on him so much so that they opted to skip the foster period and head straight to a rehome. They have shared a lovely update with us all about Troy’s first day in his new home.
“It was truly love at first sight with Troy, as soon as we saw him, there was no doubt in our mind that he was ours. He’s settled into the home as if he’s lived here his whole life and we feel like the luckiest people in the world.”
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