Meet Britain's loneliest dogs waiting 8 YEARS for forever homes – from house-trained Lulu to ‘real cuddle monster' Mika
Despite being "cuddle monsters" and "stealing the hearts" of animal shelter staff, many dogs are overlooked, and have to watch countless of their furry friends get adopted before them.
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Many have been treated incredibly cruelly before being taken in to care, with the RSPCA receiving an average of 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during the busy summer period.
If you're looking to add an extra member to your family, why not consider one of these adorable pooches.
Barney
Barney is a nine-year-old Crossbreed, who has been living at Dogs Trust Merseyside for 3,000 days (eight years).
The lively, independent pooch is on the hunt for a forever family to provide a calm, rural environment for him.
He would prefer a home without any other pets or children, and loves learning new skills and snuggling up with loved ones.
Toby
Also living at Dogs Trust Merseyside is 11-year-old lurcher Toby, who was handed over the the charity seven years ago due to his owner's ill health.
The ageing pup is keen to find an adult-only retirement home, with access to a large field he can play off-lead in.
Toby enjoys gentle fuss, playing with his toys, and likes to hang out on walks with other lurchers and greyhounds.
Domino
11-year-old Lurcher Domino has been in the care of Dogs Trust Leeds for a whopping 2600 days (over seven years).
The playful pooch was found by the charity as a stray, and has struggled to find his forever home, despite being a fun and affectionate Canine.
Domino is fully house-trained and loves peaceful rural walks, and is looking for an adult-only home where he is the only pet.
Liam and Noel
Named after the iconic rock duo, tiny chihuahuas Liam and Noel have been living at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, for 150 days, four times longer than the average pooch stays at the shelter.
The four-year-old cheeky chihuahuas need a private garden to play in, and could live in a family with older teenagers, who respect their space.
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Hannah Gee, Rehoming Team Leader at Battersea Old Windsor, said: 'Since coming into the centre through no fault of their own, this supersonic pair really are inseparable, and some might say that they've stolen the hearts of everyone they meet.
"Though they were both quite nervous when they first came into us, little by little they have started to come out of their shells and are now looking to complete their band line-up with loving new owners'.
Sonny Jim
Sonny Jim is an ex-racing greyhound, and has been living at Battersea Home for Dogs & Cats for 270 days.
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The four-year-old pet can be shy at first, but his bouncy and affectionate personality soon shines through.
Like most ex-racers, Sonny has a chase instinct, so he needs to be on a lead and muzzled when out and about, but he is very comfortable with this.
Gina
Crossbreed Gina was rescued by the RSCPA over 400 days ago, and has been in the care of the charity's Northumberland West Branch ever since.
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When she was found, the five-year-old canine was living in a cage where she was unable to stand, and had very little experience of the outside world.
The pooch has been adopted twice already, but was both times returned to the RSPCA due to separation anxiety, and is still on the hunt for a family to show her love and affection.
Kevin
When seven-year-old Cane Corso Kevin first arrived at RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre, he was incredibly thin and week, and he has been getting care and treatment for the past 700 days.
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Anna White, an RSPCA staff member who looks after Kevin said: "Super sweet, super playful, and super cuddly. Kevin is our gorgeous sweetheart who just wants love and attention.
"He is a big boy and doesn't understand how strong he can be, gentle but a giant, and can be strong on the lead so his new owner will need to be able to hold him well.'
Lulu
Eight-year-old crossbreed Lulu was rescued by the RSPCA as part of an investigation, and has spent more than a year in total being cared for by the charity's Cornwall Branch.
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The adorable pooch is house-trained, travels well in the car, and is happy to be left alone for a few hours.
She would love a forever home with a secure garden, and with careful management, can be introduced to other dogs.
Princess
German Shepherd cross lab Princess arrived at RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre with a broken leg, after her owner was unable to afford treatment.
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The two-year-old has since had surgery, and has been looking for an adult-only forever home since February.
Despite being described by RSPCA staff as an "absolute joy" and "highly intelligent", she has so far been overlooked, and has watched countless furry friends get rehomed before her.
Mika
Mika was rescued by RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre, before her owner was investigated and prosecuted.
The five-year-old Akita, who has been searching for a home for more than a year, would need to be the only animal, and would be suitable to live with children of secondary school age.
Katy Darelli, Animal Centre Manager, said: 'She is a big, strong, powerful girl but she is a real cuddle monster. She really does love people.
'She has watched so many of her furry friends find their perfect match before her - and we just don't want to see her spend one day longer than he needs to in kennels.
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As somebody whose mother was Welsh and Bourne in the valleys and never spoke Welsh most Welsh people I just wish King Charles didn't feel the necessity to try and do it most people in Wales don't speak Welsh and it's an embarrassment to C — James Whale MBE. (@THEJamesWhale) September 16, 2022 'As somebody whose mother was Welsh and born in the valleys and never spoke Welsh… I just wish King Charles didn't feel the necessity to try and do it,' he continued in a tweet. 'Most people in Wales don't speak Welsh and it's an embarrassment.' A furore ensued – even Rick McMurray of the indie band Ash felt the need to comment. 'Why are you so upset about a language? Are you K?' 6. Having a meltdown on Big Brother There was tension from the outset between Whale and Loose Women panellist Saira Khan when they went on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, with Khan asking the broadcaster if he was 'racist'. 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'Thank you, dear friend, for everything,' she wrote on Instagram after Whale's death was announced. 'Not sure how I will cope.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lizzie Cundy (@lizziecundy) 8. Taking on the trans community Whale took great joy in giving 'the PC lobby … a good stiff kicking'. To that end, he labelled a TalkSport traffic reporter 'the Traffic Trannie – Britain's only transvestite traffic reporter', for which he was widely criticised. But he was never black and white on these issues. In 1994, he presented a one-off special, Trannies Galore, in which he interviewed members of the transgender community. Just last year, he hung up on women's rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen during a TalkTV debate over whether trans women should be allowed to use female toilets, having explained that an acquaintance of his did just that. 'Thank you Kellie, I've had enough, you've been very insulting to a good friend of mine,' he said. Up to the end, he was full of surprises.
