The Dog House star reveals what it’s really like adopting a ‘very broken’ rescue dog from violent home
A STAR of The Dog House has revealed the stark realities of what it’s really like adopting a “very broken” rescue dog.
Single mum Natasha and her son Jacob, 16, featured in the most recent episode of the Channel 4 show, which pairs families with the perfect dog.
The young rugby player was keen to find a “friend for his mum” after he moved out of the family home to go to a nearby college.
Despite being keen for a bigger dog, they were matched with a timid chihuahua cross-breed called Wingnut to meet their needs.
The mother and son duo had an anxious first meeting with the black long haired pup, who was given his name due to his large ears.
Little “broken” Wingnut had come from a difficult home, meaning he had tendencies to be a little shy and reserved with new people.
While the pair had their reservations at first, they soon fell in love with the small dog and decided to take him home, renaming him Raffy.
Natasha opened up to Express.co.uk about what life had been like for the family after taking home the sweet pup.
“He’s such a nervous little creature and he wasn’t great with the experience,” she said. “The staff were brilliant but it wasn’t right for him.”
Revealing their new home life, she added: “It’s really sweet when Jacob comes home as Raffy gets really excited and jumps up and they play on the floor together.
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“When Jacob goes Raffy will still go into his bedroom to look for him.”
She described how the pooch is hyper-attached to her, and “follows her everywhere” when they are home alone as he is still “really nervous”.
“As long as I am there and I feed him and give him his cuddles he’s happy. He just gives you that reason to get up in the morning,” Natasha added.
“You do have to be so patient with animals, especially those ones which suffer from anxiety or those who do have a particular past.
“I know Raffy was loved, but he came to us very broken and he had a particular fear of dogs.”
For now, Raffy is continuing to settle – with Natasha insisting he is re-learning how to be comfortable around people and other pups.
The Dog House frequently sees viewers left emotional – and last week, fans were in bits as a vet struggled to rescue an injured lurcher.
The much-loved Channel 4 series sees Cambridgeshire-based animal charity Wood Green rehome unwanted pooches with those looking for a four-legged pal.
The Dog House continues on Channel 4 at 8pm on Thursdays