Did you know that we sometimes get pairs of dogs that we need to home together? They may have lived together in a home prior to arriving in our care, or they might have developed a close bond in kennels or in foster. Either way, for their welfare, the dogs can’t be split up and will be searching for a home together. We asked Hayley and Dunk to tell us about about their experience of homing a pair of dogs from us, here’s what they had to say.

It took a little while, but after the passing of the much missed Bridie Pryce (Lady Smellington) we both knew we wanted another lurcher. We had a vague idea that a pair would be good company for each other, so the idea of adopting a bonded pair seemed to make a lot of sense. Waiting for a pair took a little longer perhaps, but thanks to Forever Hounds Trust we soon found ourselves welcoming Sadie and Kit (aka the ‘girls’) into our lives.

Two years down the line and there is no doubt in our minds that rehoming them together was the right choice for everyone. By offering to rehome Sadie and Kit we knew we were asking them to trust us and to step into a whole new world – looking back, these giant steps were made so much easier simply because the girls were able to take them together. When Kit first arrived she so full of sadness – it really took us by surprise.  Sadie on the other hand, saw the sofa, gave us a quick saluki smile and that was her – settled. And in settling herself, she showed Kit how to feel calm and safe and secure in her new home.

It wasn’t long before we all got ourselves comfortable and Kit soon showed herself to be the brains of the outfit. Quick to learn and eager to please, she has always proved the easier of the two to train. Sadie always needs a little more time, bless, but we soon found that when Kit learnt something new, Sadie would quickly copy her. Bingo! And this mutually beneficial two-way relationship really sums up our girls.

From easier training to better mental and emotional health (for us all) this pair are very much a double act. Their personalities are so very different, meaning life is never ever dull. They play together, they run together and they rest together. When we are out and about people can see how happy they are and seem fascinated by their story – the bonded pair.

We’ve lost count of the number of times people have said how lucky the girls are to have ended up where they are. Our reply is always the same – “we’re the lucky ones” we say. After all, twice the love means twice the fun.

Hayley and Dunk