Could this dog be your new best friend? Arusa Qureshi

27 February 2019



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Share via email Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home look for a forever home for the 'UK's unluckiest dog' Here at List HQ, we're big fans of dogs (and really, all animals). We're also huge fans of a happy ending. So when we heard about Star, dubbed 'the UK's unluckiest dog', we knew that we had to get involved to try and help this little guy get his own happy ending. Seven-and-a-half-year-old staffie Star has spent more than 1,800 days – around five years – at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, and despite being crowned the nation's favourite breed and capturing the heart of a celebrity, he's struggled to find his forever home. According to EDCH, his residency is more than three times longer than that of a dog recently touted as 'Britain's loneliest dog', who has been at a shelter for 500 days. Star didn't have the best start in life, having been admitted to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in July 2013, when he was found by police officers, tied up behind a derelict building. As well as showing signs of neglect, he was hugely underweight and had nails so long that they curled underneath the pad of his paw. He was clearly lucky to be alive and so the staff at EDCH named him their 'lucky' Star. Having worked closely with Star to help him recover from his physical wounds, it wasn't as easy for the staff at EDCH to fix all the mental scars that he endured and as a result, he displayed nervous behaviour when he was out and about. Fast forward five years and Star has progressed in many ways, learning to walk politely on a harness and lead, to play fetch, sit on command and maintain eye contact when given the 'watch-me' instruction.

Despite all the hard work and improvements that Star has made in his confidence, he continues to wait for that special someone to walk through the door and take him home. EDCH firmly believe that Star deserves a second chance at life and are keen to find the perfect home for their best-known and much-loved resident.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Kennel Manager, Wendy Mullen, says: 'Star is such an intelligent, affectionate and playful boy, who has a lot of love to give, so it breaks our hearts that he keeps getting overlooked.

'For many years, our staff have been working hard to find him a new family, because we know what an amazing companion this lovable lad will make for the right owner. He is so deserving of a second chance to feel the love and security only a forever home can provide. Our staff take such good care of every animal that comes through our doors, but a shelter is no place to grow up.'

Hibernian FC player Marvin Bartley recently visited the home to challenge Star to a kick around and has offered an extra incentive to the person who is lucky enough to take him home.

'Star is still a young man, but he's been at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home for five years and we're trying to get him a new home,' he said. 'If we can get a Hibs fan, or a football fan [to rehome him], then we will get them a signed shirt in addition to adopting Star because we really want him to get a new home.'

To find out more about Star, visit Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home at 26 Seafield Road East, EH15 1EH or edch.org.uk/Star.