Dog found in 'pitiful condition' has Christmas wish come true after finding forever home

Sir Rookie was found in 'pitiful' conditions by RSPCA officers in August 2022 after vets in Birmingham contacted them concerned about his welfare when his owner failed to turn up for a follow-up appointment. 

RSPCA Inspector Kate Levesley, who investigated the case, described Rookie as being 'emaciated' and having 'large open wounds' which were 'down to the bone'.

Inspector Levesley said: "Rookie came into our care and was admitted to our Birmingham Animal Hospital as he needed urgent veterinary treatment. 

"The original vets who saw him had recommended he was euthanised but, thankfully, with round-the-clock care, our team managed to alleviate his suffering and help him start to recover."

Rookie had caught ringworm and had to be kept in the hospital's isolation unit for a couple of months where he became really popular with all of the nurses, who nicknamed him 'Sir Rookie'.

Rookie was moved to the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre a week before Christmas with the team managing to find him a wonderful foster home while his case was being investigated, moving in with his new family in 2023.

However, sadly, in August 2024, he was rushed back into the animal hospital for emergency surgery to have his spleen and a mass removed. 

Birmingham Kennel superior, Kelly Legg, said: "We all feared the worst for poor Rookie and he stayed with us for some time to recover. The day after his surgery he was signed over by his previous owner* and he then started to recuperate. 

“Being able to call his fosterers to tell them he was on the road to recovery and could go home, and that he’d never have to go back to his previous owner was one of the best calls I’d made in a long time!

“The good luck continued because just a week later we had the news that his test results showed the tumour had been benign.

“He’s now been formally adopted by his fosterers who have been so dedicated to his care and love him so much. It’s a really happy ending after such a rollercoaster for poor Rookie."

Now, aged 12, Rookie is now facing his first proper Christmas in a loving new home.

Retired Malcolm Britton, 78, and his wife Brenda, 76, from Halesowen, said: "We fostered Rookie for 16 months before finally adopting him and think the absolute world of him. He has settled in so well and we’ve created a really strong bond.

“He enjoys two walks every day and has made many doggie friends; the ladies particularly seem to like him! He’s very friendly and can be a bit of a playboy! 

“Rookie is really sociable and has lots of admirers when we’re out and about locally. Everybody loves him and we feel so lucky that he’s now ours and is such an important part of our family. 

“He’s totally spoiled and has definitely taken over our lives - but we wouldn’t have it any other way. And after everything he’s been through, he deserves it.”