Britain’s ‘unluckiest dog’ still needs new home two years after being found laying next to his dead owner

One of Britain’s unluckiest dogs still needs a new home two years after he was found laying next to his dead owner.

Dillon was discovered next to his owner who had passed away and was “still protecting his body until the very end’’.

The nine-year-old black Lurcher, who is said to love walks, cuddles and attention, now needs a forever home.

‘We’ve been trying to find the right home and family for him’

Amy Hall, Fundraising and Supporter Relations Officer for the National Animal Welfare Trust home in Cornwall, said he is a deeply loving and affectionate pet.

She said: "He was found lying with his owner who had passed away, and was obviously protecting him right up until he couldn’t anymore - which was very sad.

"He came to us about two years ago from that situation, which is exactly what Dillon wanted and needed, but we’ve been trying to find the right one for him, the right home and family.’’

‘He’s just a lovely big puppy at heart’

Despite his loving attributes, statistically black dogs and cats have proven the hardest to rehome, with lurchers also proving more difficult due to the tendencies of their breed.

Dillon has had it especially badly too as despite being an old dog, he still is energetic and ‘puppy like’ at heart wanting to rush around on walks which previous attempted foster parents looking for a very calm dog have been unable to handle.

Amy added: "The thing with his age is he attracts people looking for more of a dog that sits with you, whereas Dillon in his heart is still a bit of a puppy.

"He will settle down with you and relax too, but he likes to go out in the fields and have a nice walk - after which he likes to just chill.

"He’s just a lovely big puppy at heart".

The ideal home for Dillon

Dillon has also struggled to find an owner as he would not be suited to a home with children or other dogs as he is so dedicated to his owners he can become a bit too ‘possessive’ to have other animals to ‘compete’ with:

Amy said: "We actually sent him out to a foster home a while ago with other dogs, and he got on fine there, absolutely fine, but when they were in the home together he wasn’t too happy - he likes his owner to himself.

"He’s a bit like Joey from Friends - Joey doesn’t share.

"He’s more than happy to go out for walks with other dogs, he’s more than happy with friends bringing their kids or dogs over too".

Despite this minor placement issue, Amy says that the interest they’ve had in recent weeks has been great:

"He’s a really great dog, but he just needs the right person. We’ve had a few people interested but for one reason or another they’ve not quite worked out.

"Recently though the response has been absolutely amazing".

You can find out more about Dillon and other dogs available for adoption in Cornwall here.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.