Poor pups Eve and Dasher have had their share of rough Christmases.
But now the duo are set to have a brilliant festive season.
The Salukis were rescued, along with two other dogs, named Angel and Tinsil, just four days before Christmas 2019.
They were taken in after welfare concerns were raised, and were found living in a shed and being used for hunting.
They were taken in by RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre, in Hertfordshire, and nursed back to good health.
Cathie Ward, who works at the shelter, said: ‘All four dogs were really nervous upon arrival and it didn’t seem as though they’d had much human interaction in their lives.
‘They were underweight and had been suffering from diarrhoea but, thankfully, they were soon feeling much better.
‘We always go the extra lengths to ensure the dogs have a nice day at Christmas but nothing compares to a loving home.’
Angel and Tinsel each found homes within a few months, but, sadly, Eve and Dasher had a trickier time.
This may have been due to Eve being deaf, along with the pairs nerves around new people.
But after 18 months in the shelter, Eve and Dasher met their perfect match in couple Kelly Coupland and Scott Marshall, who took in the pair along with their ex-racing greyhound, Biscuit.
The couple fell in love with the dogs after losing their 16-year-old Saluki cross, Fawn, in February.
Kelly said: ‘Salukis have so much sass and character. They want to be the centre of the universe and I just love that so I knew I wanted a dog with a bit of Saluki in them and then we spotted Evie and Dasher!
‘They have settled in really well especially considering how long they were in kennels.
‘Evie loves to be with somebody a lot of the time so she loves to sit on the sofa with me.
‘Dasher is a bit more timid. He can be scared of his own shadow sometimes but he’s getting better and when he gets excited he can’t keep his paws still and just dances around.
‘He has started to cuddle up to me on the sofa and is a truly lovely boy. It’s so nice to see him finally coming out of his shell and show his cheeky side.
The couple have been training deaf Eve with hand signals and take care to ensure they don’t startle her.
Both dogs can be nervous of roads and traffic so they take all three of their dogs on long countryside walks.
The family is now looking forward to Christmas – especially Eve and Dasher, who for the first time will spend December 25 in a loving home.
“They are lovely dogs and we’re so lucky to have them,’ said Kelly.
‘They will all be getting their own doggy-friendly advent calendars and will have to pose nicely for photos so we can make our own Christmas cards!
‘I usually cook a ham and prep some of the food on Christmas Eve so I’m sure they’ll have to check the ham has been cooked properly and I expect some of the pigs-in-blankets and veg will end up in their bowls as a festive treat.
‘All three will get their own stocking filled with presents, we’ll head out for a lovely walk and they’ll get a very special Christmas dinner for their tea too.
‘I’m really happy that they’ll finally get a Christmas in their forever home and will be spoiled rotten but it does really upset me to think that there are still lots of doggies out there that won’t get the Christmas they deserve.’
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