From cardboard box to goggle box, pups to star in TV series
Two ‘beautifully ugly’ French bulldog pups discovered dumped in a cardboard box are turning heads for all the right reasons now.
The scrawny bald pups were named Yoda and Mogwai by their rescuer RSPCA inspector Simon Evans because of their strange otherworldly appearance.
However after a remarkable transformation the pair have been found new homes and will play a starring role in the first episode of the new series of The Dog Rescuers on Tuesday (June 27).
RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said: “They were such beautifully ugly dogs - which is why I called them Yoda and Mogwai.
“When the pair came into our care, they were in a truly horrendous state; very underweight and with serious skin problems.
“Their transformation in RSPCA care was truly remarkable, and it’s fantastic that their story is to play such a central role in the new series of the The Dog Rescuers. The public are sure to love following their story.
“Yoda and Mogwai's journey is a reminder of two key parts of the RSPCA's work - rescuing and re-homing animals. Their stories are just two of the amazing tales behind the thousands of animals RSPCA rescued.”
They were found by a member of the public in Pontypool Park in Wales on Saturday 12 November, and were taken into RSPCA care in a very underweight state with terrible skin problems which had caused them to lose their fur.
The pair were given lots of TLC and rehabilitation in RSPCA care, at the Newport Animal Centre and now both have now found loving new homes.
Mogwai’s new owner Richard Lloyd-Roberts, from South Staffordshire, (pictured left) said: “Mogwai is doing brilliantly. He’s made amazing progress in integrating into our family home – and after 48 hours it felt like he owned the place!
“He is so precious and rewarding for the whole family.
“We used to have Doberman dogs, and it broke our hearts when the last one died four years ago. We weren’t sure if we would have another dog – but, by fate, we spotted Mogwai, and fell in love with him from day one.
“My wife has MS – and he is just amazing company for her. We couldn’t wish for a better dog. Mogwai had such a difficult start to life, but couldn’t have settled in any better and is such a special member of the family.”
Doreen Bunch from Somerset, Yoda's new owner, said: "Yoda is absolutely fabulous. He's a joy to have, and the whole family absolutely love him.
"We feel so blessed to have Yoda in our lives. It was love at first sight, and we're thrilled to have re-homed him from the RSPCA."
Yoda and Mogwai will feature as The Dog Rescuers returns to television screens on Tuesday 27 June at 8pm. The pups will kick-off the fifth season of the show, which is presented by Alan Davies.
To help animals like Yoda and Mogwai, you can give £3 now by texting LOVE to 87023 (text costs £3 + one standard network rate message). We are a charity and rely on public donations to exist.