Badly burnt and terrified, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Justine was in a horrific state when she arrived at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The four-year-old was found wandering London’s streets, and brought into Battersea on 20 November 2017 with a nasty wound on her back. Even the charity’s most-seasoned staff were shocked by the gaping raw burn.
But, after weeks of care by Battersea’s vets and dog behaviourists, four-year-old Justine’s life is looking up and she has found her happy ending – with Tanya Martin and her family in London.
Battersea’s Head of Canine Behaviour and Welfare Ali Taylor said: “As Justine came to us as a stray, we’ll never know exactly what happened to her, but it looks like someone might have poured acid or boiling liquid on her. When she arrived, she was scared, shut down and very mistrustful of new people. Our veterinary team treated her physical wounds, while our behaviourists and kennel staff worked hard to help her learn to trust people again. After weeks of work, Justine was finally healed enough – physically and mentally – to find a new home.”
Justine’s luck changed when she met Tanya Martin and her family. It was love at first sight, and Justine is now thriving in her new home, having become an irreplaceable part of her new families’ life. Tanya’s kids Georgia (21), Joshua (14) and Luca (12) love her.
Tanya said: “We call Justine our little fruit bat. She loves giving everyone kisses galore and she’s got no idea of personal space. She just wants to be around you all the time and loves snuggling under the covers in our beds. Justine’s scared of the kettle, which might have something to do with her past, and she doesn’t like loud noises. But she’s a sweet girl and she loves the kids so much. She knows exactly when the boys are coming back from school and she’s always there waiting for them.”
Just like Justine, there are many other Battersea dogs and cats looking for their happy ever after home. You can meet them at www.battersea.org.uk.