Happy ending: Staffie found in Blackpool church to be returned to owner
The story of a dog left in a church in Blackpool by a heart-broken owner captured all of our imaginations. There's an update and it's great news!
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Published on the 10/01/2020, 11:00, Updated on the 08/02/2021, 13:34
A desperate decision
The seven-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross was found tied up at the alter of the Sacred Heart church in Blackpool with a heart-breaking note left by his despairing owner.
The sad note read,
"My dog means the world to me and I don't know what else to do. I've no home or money now for him. Life has taken a really bad turn for me and I couldn't imagine him being outside with me cold and hungry. I love you and I am so so so sorry."
The note also mentioned the pup's 'tender paws' and said the owner had been treating them for a month but they were 'still sore'.
The touching story and the unmistakeable sadness of the devoted owner who felt she had no choice, caused the story to go viral.
A well-loved pup
The pup, who rescuers named Cracker, was clearly a much-loved pooch and had a happy and playful temperament.
Catch up tomorrow morning @BBCBreakfast for an exclusive update with this little fella and Lucy @streetpawsvet Blackpool Coordinator #streetpaws #news #blackpool #rooney pic.twitter.com/7tjwXi1qBl
— StreetPaws (@streetpawsvet) January 8, 2020
The RSPCA and Street Paws charity were involved in Cracker's care and knew their first priority had to be to locate the loving owner, with rehoming the pup only an option once they'd exhausted all their efforts.
A social media push
Thankfully, after a huge social media effort, the owner has been found.
Cracker is actually named Rooney and belongs to a woman named Alison from the Blackpool area. The charities are taking care of Rooney until Alison is back on her feet, at which point the pair will be reunited.
We're absolutely delighted that this story has a happy ending and we hope Alison and Rooney can be together again very soon. All the best you guys, we're sending lots of Wamiz love.
Find out more, here:
BBCBreakfast: ? Great news on #BBCBreakfast - for the dog who was left at a church in Blackpool after his owner hit hard times. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eRal3YNMEb
— Patrick Kolipson (@PKT_develop) January 9, 2020