A Gravesend couple, who neglected four lurcher-type puppies to the extent that they were very thin and one was falling over and reluctant to walk, have been given a five year ban on keeping dogs.

Graham Gibbons, 34, and Fallon Poole, 29, of Oak Road in Gravesend pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide a suitable diet and veterinary care for the puppies who were believed to be about 6-8 weeks old.

A homeless hound at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home could be one of the loneliest dogs in the UK after spending over 260 days at the world famous animal charity and receiving little interest from potential owners.

The average stay for Battersea dogs is just 35 days, but four year old Lurcher Shadow has been at the rescue centre for over seven times that, making him the charity’s longest stay resident.

DOGS TRUST LEFT TO TAKE THE LEAD
Dogs Trust makes strides to accommodate left hand dog walkers in accordance with EU law

A homeless dog has a new home in Castle Cary, Somerset, thanks to television presenter Alan Titchmarsh. Ruby, a Dachshund, had spent 90 days at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Old Windsor but after appearing on the ITV Alan Titchmarsh Show she caught the eye of Liz Ayris, who made a 250 mile round trip to rehome her.

A stray dog has been rehomed by Sally and Malcolm Crockford in Guildford, Surrey, after spending almost half her life in kennels. Maisy the Mongrel had been at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Old Windsor in Berkshire for 431 days, making her the charity’s longest stay resident.

Maisy first arrived at the world famous charity on New Year’s Day, 2011. Like 55 per cent of dogs that come in to Battersea, two year old Maisy was brought in as a stray after she was found wandering the streets. She was at the charity 12 times longer than the average stay for a dog before finding her dream home.

We all know that our dogs make our lives happier and better, and Crufts celebrates this aspect of dogs. Friends for Life highlights dogs who have changed and enhanced their people's lives in various ways. Watch this video to learn more about the dogs and people - from the disabled dog who gives confidence to his disabled young owner, to the police dog who has helped make life safe for us, to dogs who have made life worth living again. Who will you vote for? - and yes you can vote for them all!

Have a bit of fun adopting and looking after your own virtual rescue dog while helping to raise £20,000 for Blue Cross at the same time, courtesy of Samsung.