‘Britain’s loneliest dog’ Danny finds forever home after 550 days in rescue centre

Berkshire: A greyhound once dubbed “Britain’s loneliest dog” has finally found a home after spending more than 550 days at a rescue centre.

Danny, an ex-racing greyhound, spent 15 times longer than the average dog at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s Old Windsor centre in Berkshire. When he first arrived, the outside world frightened him and he spent time in foster care to adjust to everyday life.

That changed after Year 6 teacher Sandra saw a Battersea Instagram post about Danny’s long stay.“It was heartbreaking, I could not stop thinking why this beautiful dog had not found a home. I felt an instant connection with him,” Sandra said. “From the moment we met him, there was something incredibly special about him and we just knew that we would be his forever family.

”Sandra, who had previously owned cats and never planned to get a dog, said the first meeting went “really natural.” Even her husband, who was initially reluctant, changed his mind. “It was love at first sight,” she said. “When we were leaving he gave me one last nudge and turned round to look at me, as if to say ‘are you coming back?’.”

Two months on, Danny has settled in quickly. He spends his days exploring the garden, napping around the house, and growing in confidence. Sandra describes him as “loveable, gentle and sensitive.”“Danny has already brought so much joy to our home, and we cannot imagine life without him,” she said. He celebrated his sixth birthday on Sunday with a doggy cake and a run around.

Zenya Green, rehoming team leader at Battersea Old Windsor, said greyhounds like Danny are often misunderstood. “Watching him head off to his forever home after more than 500 days with us was incredibly special and the true happy ending we were all hoping for,” she said.