2025

Bonnie and Clyde

Underdogs of the Year 2025

Bonnie & Clyde were rescued at the age of eight after falling into a swimming pool. CCTV showed they had been trapped for an hour, unable to climb out. They endured an utterly miserable life before their rescue. A breeding pair, confined to a cage for their entire lives. They were covered in sores, parasites and wounds, both had eye and ear infections, and they could barely walk. They’d not seen a vet in years and Bonnie was particularly poorly, testing positive for a number of parasitic diseases - Leishmania, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia.

But, they had each other, and they were so in love. Separating them was out of the question. Through all of the cruelty and neglect they’d experienced, they’d looked after each other. Despite everything they were so keen to forgive. Enter Jenny, an angel on Earth who fell head over heels for them and would stop at nothing to give them everything they deserved! Since they arrived in Scotland in September, their tails haven’t stopped wagging (and Bonnie hasn’t stopped giving her paw!). They well and truly epitomise the resilience of rescue dogs.

Scooby

RUNNER UP

Found alone in a park in Cyprus at just two months old, Scooby was anaemic, covered in parasites, and fighting to survive. He was adopted at five months old, and was desperate to overcome his early trauma, but struggled severely with separation anxiety. Together, he and his adopter, Emily, began a long, patient journey to build his confidence.

Scooby then suddenly developed reactivity on the lead and Emily sensed something wasn’t right. Her suspicions were confirmed almost instantly when he started pain medication, and it became clear his reactivity was his way of masking his fear and discomfort. It was such a relief to see him feeling better, and a reminder of how bravely he tries to cope, even when something is hurting. Despite his own traumas, through the hardest year of Emily’s life, Scooby has been a constant, comforting companion. This once vulnerable street puppy has not only made incredible progress, but also has no idea of the healing impact he has truly had.

Titch

Titch was found as a baby, scavenging the remains of a dead snake and quite proudly flinging it about all over the place. She was only a tiny puppy, hence her name, but we knew straight away she was a big character! It wasn’t long before she travelled to the UK as a foster, and, not surprisingly, her foster family couldn’t bear to part with her. She wriggled her way into their hearts and has stayed there ever since.

However, earlier this year Titch became dangerously unwell with sepsis. After failing to respond to antibiotics, she was rushed to the emergency vets after collapsing, and spent a scary four nights away from home. Every single blood test came back negative and try as they might the vets were unable to determine the cause. Poor Titch went from wreaking beagle havoc to being hooked up to IV lines, too weak to move. Thankfully, after six unsteady weeks, tiny Titch proved she was small but mighty, and made a complete recovery.