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00:00We had a good look through all of the dogs that we've got.
00:04We found you a match.
00:07He's got a cheeky side in him.
00:10He's a big, cuddly teddy bear.
00:13She's a bit hyper.
00:15He is a chihuahua.
00:17Oh!
00:19She's a girl.
00:20He's only a baby.
00:21Oh!
00:23He is a stuffy.
00:25Yes!
00:27In a quiet corner of the English countryside,
00:30there's a place for those looking for love.
00:33You want a playful, cuddly, active dog that can dance with you.
00:36Yeah. You've got it in one.
00:38Here, a dedicated team match abandoned dogs...
00:42You've been through a rough time, haven't you?
00:44You'll be OK.
00:46..with hopeful new owners.
00:49She's got her excited jog on, look.
00:52People often come to us in their time of need.
00:55This recovery will be lifelong.
00:57And dogs can be that light at the end of the tunnel for them.
01:00Last spring, we installed fixed-rig cameras...
01:03Are you ready?
01:05..additional support staff... Yeah.
01:07..and a secluded meeting pen...
01:09Oh, my God, this is so cute!
01:11..to see how lives could be changed forever...
01:13Are we ready? ..with the perfect pairing.
01:20Oh, my days!
01:22Sometimes the chemistry is instant.
01:24They're playing together!
01:26Hello, my gorgeous boy.
01:28But it's not always love at first sight.
01:30She's hiding there. Aw.
01:32It can take time for them to open their hearts.
01:34Play with me, please.
01:36Our dogs aren't perfect...
01:38She's down. Uh-oh!
01:40..but their quirks make them who they are,
01:42and that's why I love them.
01:44It never ceases to amaze me
01:46how much a dog can change someone's life.
01:49Never underestimate the power of a dog.
01:55WHISTLE BLOWS
02:02Ooh, I did get hair envy
02:04when I met that Afghan hound the other day.
02:06Perfectly groomed. You can't beat it.
02:09Like, spaniels that have those really wavy curls on their ears
02:13that are all perfectly highlighted. Yeah.
02:15And I've spent hundreds of pounds trying to achieve that.
02:19I do my hair top
02:21Check my nails
02:23Show me how you do it
02:25I think when you get your hair done,
02:27you do feel confident
02:29and kind of ready to take on the world.
02:31You ready to show off your new look?
02:33You look like a completely new dog!
02:35But let's face it, we all have a bad hair day.
02:40Do you want to see my worst hairstyle?
02:42Come on, then. Bring it on.
02:44Oh, dear.
02:46But what's on your head?
02:48It's me hair. It's hair-render.
02:50Hair-render?
02:53Baby, how you feeling?
03:00I'm Ted. I'm Ted.
03:02I'm going to go get you a little brother or sister.
03:04I'm absolutely buzzing.
03:06I can't wait.
03:08Come on, Ted. Let's go and meet him.
03:10In preparation for meeting a potential new playmate,
03:12Georgie and Jimmy's chow teddy
03:14has been preened to perfection.
03:16Hiya. Hiya.
03:18This dog is like a clode on legs.
03:20This is Teddy.
03:22Look how cute he is!
03:24He sits at our front window and it all passes by.
03:26I just, like, stop, have a point, take pictures.
03:28Can I take a picture?
03:30Yes, of course you can have a...
03:32He's basically like a famous dog at the park.
03:35It's like being mobbed sometimes.
03:37Good boy, Ted.
03:39He knows he looks good, I think.
03:41Yeah, definitely a show-off. If you've got it, flaunt it.
03:44We get him groomed every four weeks.
03:48Yeah, and me, yeah.
03:50How much does it cost?
03:52£110. You what?!
03:54I'm sorry, but...
03:56I know, everyone thinks I'm crazy.
03:58It's like a celebrity. He is.
04:00I reckon we get you two sat down and Teddy,
04:02and hopefully we will find you a friend.
04:04Yeah, thank you.
04:11Hello, thank you for calling. We're Green Becky speaking.
04:13How can I help?
04:16The time, space and financial situation.
04:19I'm being selfish by keeping them locked up indoors all day.
04:23We do appreciate how difficult it is.
04:27It's breaking our hearts just thinking about it.
04:34Hey, guys. Hello.
04:38Hello. How you doing?
04:40Yeah, not too bad. Who have we got here?
04:42So this is little Annie. Annie.
04:44You've got Ruby here and then Darcy.
04:47And why did they come in?
04:49So the gentleman's recently split up with his wife
04:52and he can't give them enough time, sadly.
04:54I don't think he wanted to give them up,
04:56but he just felt it was the best decision for them in the long run.
04:59Going to come out?
05:02One of the hardest things for us here at Woodgreen
05:05is when dogs come in in big groups.
05:08It's virtually impossible to place anything more than a pair
05:13and even with pairs, we can struggle.
05:15Hi. Hi.
05:17Ruby.
05:21Oh, Annie, you're a worried little thing, aren't you?
05:25Hey.
05:26You're OK. You're OK.
05:29She's not a happy bunny.
05:32It's just about getting them used to their environment.
05:35It's very overwhelming for them. It must be scary.
05:39It could potentially be quite difficult
05:41to find people willing to take on three dogs.
05:44You're OK, sweet girl.
05:46We have to look at splitting them, which is heartbreaking
05:49and none of us like doing it.
05:51But it could also mean we rehome them quicker.
05:58This is Teddy.
05:59Is he a chow? He is, yeah.
06:01He's very light-kneed.
06:03We rescued him from Turkey, so we don't think he's, like,
06:06pure breed or in a pedigree or anything like that.
06:09But, yeah, he's definitely a chow chow.
06:11What made you want to consider a second dog?
06:15We had another dog when we rescued Teddy.
06:18A little Pomeranian.
06:20So they were together for about ten months, but then we lost Boo.
06:27I miss Boo and I think Teddy must miss him loads as well.
06:31They would play, like, with the toys together.
06:34I would say they were brothers.
06:37But, like, Boo got hit by a car,
06:41so it was quite a shocking thing that happened.
06:45And, like, from one second to the next,
06:48Teddy had a friend and then Teddy didn't have a friend.
06:54So he's been alone in the household since,
06:56thought he was fine, like, taking it in his stride.
06:59But then when other dogs come round, like our friends' dogs,
07:02he just, like, comes to life, loves playing with them,
07:04has a great time and then is a bit sad when they leave.
07:07What are you looking for in a companion for him?
07:10Someone for him to play with, really. Go on, Georgie.
07:13I mean, I like Samoyeds and Pomeranians and fluffy anythings,
07:18but I don't think it really matters.
07:20Whatever's good for Teddy, really.
07:22OK, then, let's go and have a look.
07:24Thank you so much. No worries. Nice to meet you.
07:26Bye, Teddy. Bye.
07:29DOG BARKS
07:36Hello. Can we come in?
07:39Everybody to go?
07:41Before we make a decision to split dogs up,
07:44it's really important that we look at their relationships with each other.
07:49We take them out for walks where we are observing them.
07:53Right, shall we separate and see what they're like?
07:56Come on, let's go.
07:58What's this?
08:01No, you can't pick.
08:04Ruby?
08:06Ruby is kind of turning around and then sitting down and stopping,
08:09so she's obviously waiting for him.
08:11Ruby?
08:13You're not coming?
08:15She just wants her friends back, I think.
08:17She's really sad.
08:19For some dogs, it's really clear
08:21that they would go on to struggle without their canine friend.
08:24You look a little bit scared.
08:26Oh, it's OK. Don't worry.
08:28Her tail's gone between her legs and she's sort of scanning around.
08:32Definitely unsettled.
08:34It's all right.
08:36Good job, Darcy.
08:38But in some cases, it can make a dog's life a whole lot better
08:43if they end up going and living as an only dog.
08:46Good job, Darcy. Look how brave you're being.
08:49DOG BARKS
08:52DOG BARKS
08:57We think we found you a match.
09:00OK.
09:02It's a female.
09:04OK.
09:06Really good with dogs.
09:08Now, she came into us as a stray
09:12and was very traumatised when she first came in.
09:16She's a perfect role model to take her under his paw, so to speak.
09:22Her name is Miss...
09:24Miss.
09:26..Lady... Right.
09:28..Chow. Oh, my God.
09:30Is she a Chow Chow?
09:32She can't be.
09:34She can be.
09:36Oh, jeez. That's amazing.
09:38Oh, my God.
09:40Hopefully... You better like her.
09:42Are you OK?
09:44Are you excited?
09:53Come here.
09:56I don't jump.
09:58Miss Lady Chow is a typical Chow.
10:01Very kind of stubborn and she does do pretty much her own thing.
10:06You're going to get it.
10:08And... No, that's her stubbornness into play, isn't it?
10:11She came to us as a stray and she was just very, very scared.
10:15It was very difficult to even get a lead on her.
10:18That's it. Lovely walking.
10:20We've still got a lot of confidence building to do,
10:22but she's definitely going in the right direction.
10:27She is really lovely once you get to know her.
10:30Ah!
10:31But she does need someone that's going to make her feel safe.
10:34Oh, thanks.
10:37Let's see what you're going to make of Miss Lady Chow.
10:45Sadie means the world to us.
10:47And since Boo's gone, he's not the same.
10:54We're going in there, yeah?
10:56Good lad.
10:58Good lad.
11:00He's less playful.
11:06You can't explain to him, this has happened, he's not coming back.
11:18Like, for a while, he was just sitting there sort of thinking,
11:22where's Boo?
11:24He's missing him.
11:27We've got each other and Teddy should have someone.
11:30Yeah. He needs a friend.
11:33He's in there. Teddy's in there.
11:36HE GASPS
11:38He has no idea.
11:40Please like her.
11:43Yeah?
11:48HE GASPS
11:50Look at her. There she is.
11:52Oh, my God, look at her. She's lovely.
11:54She's so little. She's really fluffy, bless her.
11:57She's really little.
11:59Oh, she's beautiful.
12:01She's beautiful.
12:03You've got to be brave. You've got to be a good girl.
12:07I know, I know. She's coming. I'm sure she's coming.
12:12HE GASPS
12:14There she goes. Good girl. Here we go.
12:19Good girl.
12:21Good girl.
12:23Well, he's very excited at seeing her.
12:27Hey.
12:29She's just very nervous.
12:31You're all right.
12:33Go easy with her.
12:38Did you find him scary?
12:42He's so strong.
12:44Oh. Oh, zoomies.
12:47Oh, dear.
12:56You're OK.
12:59She's not sure.
13:02Give it a bit of time.
13:13Teddy.
13:15What's this?
13:17Miss Chow, are you coming, Miss?
13:19She's having a little sniff at the moment.
13:21She's not sure yet.
13:23Miss Chow.
13:25Come on, Teddy. You can do it.
13:29She's kind of warming up a little bit.
13:33There he goes. Come on.
13:35What do you think?
13:37Yay, good Kelly.
13:41She's like, I'm not going to stop.
13:43Oh, that was really nice to see.
13:45What do you reckon? Do you like him?
13:47They're playing together. That's what we wanted to see.
13:50Oh, my goodness.
13:52They are going to be so cute together.
13:54Oh, my God, I can't believe it.
13:57She's got some good energy, that's nice.
13:59I think she can't believe her luck at being landed
14:02with this gorgeous-looking girl.
14:04Careful, guys.
14:06I can't wait to meet her.
14:08Oh, good girl.
14:10She's so cute.
14:16DOG BARKS
14:19DOG BARKS
14:24We're going to go find our doggie.
14:26It's not squeezed, anyway. Sorry.
14:29OK, I'm ready.
14:31Hoping to score a new team-mate
14:33is 11-year-old football fanatic Luke
14:36and his mum Nicole.
14:40Hiya. Hello.
14:42Welcome to Wood Green. It's lovely to meet you both.
14:45Did you bring the ball to play with the dog?
14:47Yes. Do you want to give us a header?
14:49Are you ready? Three...
14:53I'm impressed by you two.
14:55What do you two like doing together?
14:57We like to play football.
14:59Oh, all right. Is she any good?
15:01She's one of the football coaches.
15:04What?!
15:05I don't really... I just assemble the goals,
15:08put the cones out and then stand back
15:10cos I don't know what I'm doing.
15:12You've not a clue? No.
15:14We try to play football.
15:16No offence.
15:18You're striking, aren't you, or taking pens.
15:21And then we have to do it. You see, he's laughing at me.
15:24The way she tries to use new slang.
15:29I like pens.
15:31So we want a dog that likes football. Yes.
15:34Right, listen, I reckon we get you sat down
15:36and hopefully we'll find you a dog that's got skills.
15:45Ready? Yeah, I'm ready.
15:47Here we go.
15:51Hello, Teddy Bear. Hello.
15:54Good girl. You're happy now your mum and dad are back, aren't you?
15:58Good boy, Teddy.
15:59I'm going to leave you to it cos I don't want to overcrowd the situation.
16:03Teddy.
16:05We've got to see now how she gets on with her potential parents.
16:09We know she takes time to warm up to people.
16:12Good boy.
16:13I think they seem really chilled and calm.
16:17I can get a little toy. Shall I get a little toy?
16:19Yeah. Shall I get a little toy?
16:21She likes you. Shall I? Good.
16:23That's nice.
16:25You are a lovely jubbly.
16:27You're a lovely girl, Missy.
16:30I really want to, like, give her a massive cuddle
16:33but I don't want to overcrowd the situation.
16:36I really want to, like, give her a massive cuddle
16:39but I don't want to scare her.
16:41Wow.
16:42I was not expecting her to be able to touch her like that.
16:46She's lovely.
16:47I think we can all say this has surpassed...
16:50Exceeded our expectations.
16:52..tenfold.
16:53Come on, then. Let's go, let's go.
16:58I like her because she's very similar to Teddy.
17:02They've got really similar personality traits.
17:06He's got, like, a little friend to play with. It's nice.
17:11We will have a think about it.
17:13I'll make sure Jimmy's, you know, on board.
17:17The grooming bill is going to be a lot more.
17:21Definitely have to ease her into the four-hour grooming sessions.
17:24But Teddy will be there with her, so, yeah.
17:27Yeah, you can show her the ropes.
17:29That's good.
17:32Have you thought about what kind of dog you want?
17:34My two dream dogs are a collie...
17:37OK.
17:38..and a labrador.
17:40Ooh, OK, so both working-type dogs.
17:44Mum's like... OK.
17:47Does Mum have a different idea?
17:49Well, I love terriers. Yeah.
17:51What is it about terriers that you love?
17:53Well, I say they look like old men.
17:55They do!
17:57With their kind of whiskers and beard.
17:59I don't want it to come across like I like...
18:01Old men? I've got a thing for old men.
18:03Just old men dogs? They're just cute.
18:05They're just really endearing. They are!
18:07So we have sort of a small, medium-ish size.
18:12OK.
18:13So, Luke, what are you looking forward to doing with the dog most?
18:16I like to be very active.
18:18We go for walks up on the park
18:20and I think they would play with me a lot.
18:23Being with me is probably not quite enough.
18:26Is it just the two of you in the home?
18:28It is. It is. Yeah.
18:32I've been a single mum since the day that Luke was born.
18:36Luke used to ask me,
18:37could you get a dad for me, please, Mum?
18:39Why don't you go and get a husband?
18:41Why don't you just go and get married?
18:43It used to make me laugh,
18:44because he would say it in such an innocent way,
18:47without any knowledge of how these things come about.
18:50Literally be like, yeah, it's not as easy as that.
18:53Just nip down to the shops and grab one.
18:55Just try and do all the things that maybe a dad might do with him,
18:59which means, you know, we wrestle.
19:02We stick cushions under our tops.
19:05And then bump into each other.
19:07Boom into each other.
19:08We're a bit crazy, aren't we? Yeah.
19:11So you need to find a dog that will keep up with both of you.
19:14Yes. Yes.
19:15And what about the personality of the dog?
19:17What's important to you, apart from being playful and active?
19:20Let's say I come back from school
19:22and I've had a bad day, that it will, like, cheer me up.
19:26He's had a rough ride at school, I would say.
19:29Kind of kids having a go.
19:31You know, they'll even comment about the fact that it's just him and me.
19:35But I like it being just me and you.
19:38I know, sweetheart. Cos we can have more fun.
19:42You have raised a very, very lovely boy.
19:47So we'll go away, we'll have a good chat
19:49and we'll look through the dogs that we've got and we'll come back, OK?
19:52All right. Excited. Sit tight.
19:54We'll see you soon.
20:00Oh, what a lovely mother and son.
20:03He wants an active dog.
20:05He wants a dog that he can play football with, throw a ball to.
20:08Really wants a best friend.
20:10So what have we got? Potentially Lucy.
20:15She's very pretty.
20:17Well, they said Labrador, so Lurcher Labrador, quite a similar size.
20:23And she loves cuddling up to somebody on the sofa,
20:26which is what he wanted when he had a bad day at school. Yeah.
20:29My concern is that Luke really wants to take the dog to the park
20:33and let the dog off lead,
20:35but we obviously wouldn't normally advise letting a Lurcher off lead
20:38because as soon as they see a rabbit, they'll be off.
20:43Do you know anything about Darcy?
20:46Hmm. So she is one year and ten months.
20:50Cockapoos as a breed, they are very, very active, aren't they?
20:53Yeah. They've got two very active breeds. Yeah.
20:55And that's a big thing for Luke.
20:57He really wants a dog that he can play with.
20:59Let's hope she can play football.
21:05Darcy did come in with two other dogs,
21:08but she's adapted really well to single life.
21:11Come on, Darcy.
21:13Come on, Darcy.
21:15And is doing really, really well.
21:17She's taking it all in her stride.
21:19Let's go, let's go, let's go.
21:21Her favourite thing is how silly she gets.
21:24What do you mean?
21:26So she absolutely loves when you're just really goofy with her
21:29and she'll join in and jump around with you.
21:32Darcy's quite adaptable.
21:34She just needs a home where she's just going to have time and love
21:37and just have people who care about her, really.
21:40For a dog so young, she is doing so, so well.
21:46So we had a look through all the dogs that we've got looking for homes.
21:49OK. We found one very special dog.
21:51Oh!
21:53And her name is Darcy.
21:55Oh!
21:57Very nice name. I like that.
21:59And she's one year and ten months.
22:01OK. It's exciting. It's very exciting.
22:03Do you want me to tell you what type of dog it is?
22:05No, I think it should be a surprise. It's going to be a surprise.
22:08She's just sociable, fun, playful, great with dogs.
22:14Oh, brilliant.
22:16She came in with two other dogs, but the other two dogs are a bit older.
22:19Mm-hm.
22:21And they've got different exercise and rehoming needs,
22:23so they decided to split them.
22:25So she's very much in need of a new best friend as much as you are, Luke.
22:28I don't know if she plays football yet, so you might have to find out.
22:31That's fine.
22:33Would you like to meet her? Very much so, yes, please.
22:36Let's do it. Let's do it. OK.
22:38Follow me. Brill.
22:40Good luck.
22:42Thank you. Thanks.
22:46Oh, my God.
22:48Are you ready? No.
22:50I'm too excited.
22:54Me and Luke, we're very close.
22:56We have a really deep bond.
23:00Who do you think she's going to be?
23:02Er, Collie. Really?
23:04Yeah.
23:06I don't know. I'm not sure.
23:08If you sat with Luke,
23:10you would think he was very outgoing, very gregarious.
23:14Come on, then. You go.
23:16No, we hold hands.
23:18Hold hands.
23:20But I think humans are, like, the masters of disguise, aren't we?
23:24Good boy.
23:26He hides it, and I could see that something's not right.
23:30Ooh!
23:32Come on, then.
23:34Go!
23:36I'm nervous.
23:38I think the bit that he struggles with a lot
23:41is when the kids will make fun of him
23:43cos he's got no dad at home.
23:50I've seen him become withdrawn.
23:53It's knocked his confidence.
23:56This is my dream come true.
23:59Yeah.
24:01The moment where I said, I think we should get a dog,
24:05I could see him sort of, like, pin some hope.
24:11A dog will be a huge comfort to him.
24:15I still think I'm dreaming.
24:17Shall I pinch you?
24:19Yeah.
24:21Oh!
24:23I think a dog would help me get my confidence back
24:26cos it will always put a smile on my face
24:29and he'll help me push through this.
24:32Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out.
24:41BARKS
24:44Honestly, I'm really, really scared.
24:47It wouldn't be normal if he wasn't feeling a bit anxious or worried.
24:51No, I know. I just don't want to vomit.
24:55Finding it hard to stay cool, calm and collected
24:58are first-time dog owners Ryan and Daniel from Southend.
25:02How can you tell a dog is from Essex?
25:05Probably because there's someone behind going,
25:08come here, come here!
25:10Good morning. Hello. Good morning.
25:12How are we doing? Bit nervous.
25:15You a bit nervous? I kind of do feel like I could be thick nervous.
25:19Oh, God, yeah. Stay back, yeah? Exactly.
25:22I can imagine this is like going into labour.
25:25You what? But without the pain. Dog labour.
25:28What kind of dog are you hoping for?
25:30A dog that needs lots of love.
25:32Do you have different favourites?
25:34Nothing too small, nothing too giant, but anything in between.
25:38What would you class as a giant?
25:40Anything that you could mistake for furniture.
25:43Accidentally sit on? Yes.
25:46I've always wanted a dog.
25:48As a child growing up, we wasn't allowed to have pets.
25:51I was allowed a goldfish.
25:53I had a goldfish called Dorothy Water Baby.
25:55But I wasn't allowed anything else that had legs.
25:59It's kind of now, it feels like the right time for us.
26:02Have you thought about names?
26:04So I like a double-barrelled name.
26:06Something like Betty Bubbles, Doris Delightful.
26:09As you notice, I've had no say in this whatsoever.
26:13Right, Lisa, I'm going to get you sat down. Thank you.
26:16Make yourselves comfortable on the two chairs at the back.
26:19Someone will be down shortly.
26:21Thank you very much. No worries.
26:26Ready?
26:28Coming in.
26:30My dream is coming true.
26:35Oh, looky, looky, looky!
26:37Hello.
26:41Nice to meet you. I'm Lydia.
26:43Hello, Lydia. And this is Darcy.
26:46So she can be a little bit nervous to start with,
26:48so just let her come to you.
26:50There you go, Darce.
26:52Bye, Darcy. Be good.
26:58Hello.
27:00Hello.
27:02Oh, it's OK.
27:05Don't worry.
27:07Darcy.
27:09Come on. Come on. She'll be back.
27:13It's all right.
27:15She's wondering what's going on.
27:19Just... Darcy.
27:21Just let her settle down.
27:23See what she does.
27:27Come here. It's all right. Come here.
27:29Come here.
27:31Come here.
27:33She's just pacing and trying to find a route out, isn't she?
27:36Do you want this one?
27:38Do you want this one?
27:42No, dog, no.
27:44A sausage.
27:46Sausages.
27:48No.
27:50Don't worry.
27:52Come here. I know.
27:54Darcy. Come on. Come over here.
27:59Darcy.
28:02Aw!
28:04He's showing lots of empathy towards her.
28:07He's not taking it personally, either.
28:09A lot of children would get really upset
28:11if a dog didn't want to come over to them and was crying at the door.
28:19Darcy. Come here.
28:21Aw!
28:23No, don't be doing that.
28:33What kind of dog parents do you think you're going to be?
28:36I think I'm going to be more indulgent in kind of the kisses,
28:40the licks.
28:42Them licking me, not me licking them.
28:44She's sure that's clear.
28:46Write that one down again.
28:48Where Daniel doesn't like licking.
28:50No.
28:52Daniel is very active, he's very...
28:54Likes to do yoga, likes to do running.
28:57I don't like to do any of those things.
28:59Food-wise, I'm kind of more extravagant
29:02and like to cook and like to create things.
29:04Daniel's like, if it can't be done in five minutes, we're not eating.
29:07So we're very different in lots of ways.
29:12What are you looking for from your dog?
29:14Well, something that could potentially give us
29:16a bit of both of those lifestyles, you know.
29:18Have a dog that wants to be active, but also...
29:21Likes a cuddle. Likes a cuddle.
29:23I like cuddles and kisses and...
29:26You're quite tactile.
29:28Yeah, I am a tactile person.
29:30Obviously, you have got different ideas
29:32slightly about what you want from your dog,
29:34because that's going to be quite difficult to find in one dog.
29:36Would you consider a pair of dogs?
29:38We would potentially.
29:41I think it's about being the right dogs for us.
29:44Yeah, absolutely.
29:46I just hope we're close to anything.
29:48OK, well, that makes it much easier.
29:50Thank you, guys.
29:52See you soon.
29:54I guess.
30:01Do you think she'll eventually get used to us?
30:04I reckon so.
30:06You can't expect a dog that's just met you to...
30:08It's all right. It's all right.
30:13What do you think she's saying?
30:15She's saying, hello, come back!
30:19Yes!
30:25You're a good girl.
30:29Luke is just the most loving boy.
30:34He's got such a big heart.
30:37Don't worry. Don't worry.
30:40Everything will be OK.
30:42And he's so kind and caring.
30:45Good.
30:48Good girl.
30:50He won't be beaten by it,
30:52and he will continue to find good and positive things.
30:55That's it.
31:01I've learnt that you should never give up in yourself,
31:06even if something is really hard.
31:09Hello.
31:11Mum just rung round.
31:13Get him!
31:27That's the way to do it.
31:40Get him!
31:44Yes!
31:46Who's a good girl?
31:48Oh, you're a good girl.
31:53In the short time that we've had with Darcy today,
31:56I just think the two of them can be best buddies, I really do.
32:00Come on. Can you do it?
32:02You can do it.
32:04I felt like I had a bond with her.
32:06Who's a good girl?
32:08I think Darcy will definitely help
32:11because I feel like I've seen her kind and caring part of her,
32:15and that makes me very happy.
32:19I think Darcy will be my lucky charm.
32:30So, we have a lovely couple, Daniel and Ryan.
32:34I'm going to look at Annie and Ruby.
32:37They're two very different dogs that are going as a pair,
32:40so that's going to be quite nice for them
32:42because they're two very different people.
32:44I think they came in as a three, didn't they?
32:46They did, yes.
32:48But very few people are going to take on three dogs,
32:50so we had to split them.
32:52They are quite different, which might work for them.
32:54One each? Yeah, exactly.
32:56So, Annie's a cottontatouillette.
32:58A what, sorry? Cottontatouillette!
33:00Annie loves people, but she can be a bit worried initially,
33:03but does like to sit on the lap, which would be nice.
33:06Ruby loves tennis balls, likes to play fetch.
33:09They're a very athletic breed and they're best friends.
33:12Yeah, I think they sound perfect.
33:15Come on.
33:17Come on, this way.
33:20This is Ruby and this is Annie.
33:24We thought that Ruby and Annie get on so well
33:27that it was best to keep them together.
33:29Are you ready? Go!
33:31Ruby, she's a little bit more energetic and fun-going.
33:34Annie!
33:36Ruby is more cautious and wary of new people than Ruby is.
33:40Annie is really vulnerable and she needs some reassurance.
33:44She gets a lot of her confidence from Ruby, which is quite nice.
33:49We do try our hardest to rehome them together,
33:52especially bonded pairs like Ruby and Annie.
33:55Good girls. They're lovely girls
33:57and hopefully we can find them the perfect match.
34:02So we really wanted to find someone that would fit you both.
34:05Yeah. It's a pair of dogs.
34:07Oh, really? Oh, that's amazing.
34:10One's called Ruby, one's called Annie.
34:12OK. One's a doodle.
34:14What's a doodle? A cross poodle. Oh, wow.
34:17And one's kind of a bichon type, so small, white.
34:21Annie's the more shy of the two.
34:23We thought she'd be more suited for you because she's more cuddly.
34:26Yeah. Whereas Ruby's quite outgoing and she's got more energy
34:29so she's the one that likes playing with the ball and going out for a walk.
34:32I'm looking forward to meeting them now. Let's do it.
34:35Yeah, we'd love to. Wow.
34:38Are you going to meet some cool new people?
34:40Yeah. Come on. Good girls.
34:44Oh, Ruby and Annie.
34:46Two dogs.
34:49Oh, my God.
34:51Oh, how exciting.
34:53Yeah, I just love that they're little girls as well.
34:56We've always had a boy house.
34:58Boy house, yeah, absolutely. After you, babe.
35:02I think there's a lot to our relationship,
35:04but in the centre there's a real sense of care
35:08and compassion and kindness for each other.
35:13Oh, it's lovely in here.
35:15The children was on the cards.
35:18Oh, it's nice and warm.
35:20It was always something that I believed I wanted.
35:26I work in children's social care.
35:28My kind of whole career is around children
35:31and we were in a place where we could have given a child a loving home.
35:37Are we all right?
35:39We went through the first stage of adoption
35:43and I just found it really challenging.
35:49It provoked some trauma within me
35:53and I needed to work through that.
36:00I realised for me that it wasn't something that I wanted.
36:09Knowing that I had to have that conversation with Ryan
36:12was really difficult.
36:14But I knew there was an unconditional love between us.
36:20It was really hard, but I understood
36:23and now I'm OK with it.
36:26Deep breaths.
36:30Shake it out.
36:32As hard as it was doing that, actually, we came back stronger.
36:37You need to lie down after this, don't you?
36:40But it does feel like there's a void in our family
36:44and we're ready now for that void to be filled.
36:47Come on, then. Well done.
36:50It's not a replacement child,
36:52but it's something to kind of give all that love that I've got.
36:56Are you coming? Yeah, well done, girls.
36:59Oh, my God, we're on.
37:01Well done.
37:03Can we sit down?
37:05Hello. Hello.
37:07Hello. I'm Katie.
37:09Katie. This is Annie and Ruby.
37:11Hello. They are both really cuddly,
37:13so I'll let them off and leave you to it.
37:16Thank you. Thank you.
37:18Hello.
37:20Hello.
37:22Hello.
37:24Hello.
37:26Hello.
37:28Hello.
37:30Hello.
37:32Hello.
37:34Hello.
37:36Are you coming straight up to say hello?
37:38Hello.
37:40Yay!
37:42Hello, you.
37:44Do you want to look at the ball?
37:46What's that?
37:48Oh, Lord. They're like little clouds.
37:51Are you going to try this one? Right, ready?
37:53Go.
37:55Whoa!
37:59Ready? Ready?
38:02Whoa!
38:04Yes!
38:06Yes!
38:08It's fun, isn't it?
38:10It's fun.
38:12Isn't it fun?
38:14She's adorable.
38:16They seem quite sold on Ruby.
38:18Well, you couldn't not be, could you?
38:20She's just given them everything.
38:22She's played with them.
38:24She's done everything you'd expect a dog to do.
38:26Yeah, you.
38:28She's like the cuddle monster, isn't she?
38:31Oh, you're not ready, are you?
38:33Completely different, aren't they?
38:37You're a good girl.
38:39You're a good girl.
38:53I'm worried about her.
38:56Do you think they think she's too nervous?
38:59I think that would be something they'd be thinking about.
39:03Oh, Annie.
39:05Oh, Annie.
39:07Are you coming?
39:09Are you coming, Annie?
39:11She's like, no, I'm just going to watch you from a distance.
39:14A little bit more every time.
39:16Oh, no, that's what it's going to take.
39:20How amazing are these guys being?
39:22They're being so good.
39:24So good, so patient.
39:26There are very few people that would just give her that much time, actually.
39:29A lot of people would just be walking over to her,
39:31trying to get to touch her and stuff.
39:35Here he comes.
39:37Here he comes.
39:39I'm not sure about you licking my face quite yet.
39:41Lick my face, lick my face.
39:43Ryan's up for the licks.
39:45Hello.
39:47Hello.
39:49We're all together now.
39:51We're all together now, darling.
39:53Yes, we are.
39:55A bit more relaxed.
39:57A bit more relaxed.
40:01I think we're all happy.
40:06Annie was more tentative with us,
40:09and I think we both kind of felt that it needed to be OK for both of them.
40:18As soon as they came in the door,
40:20all I saw was these two sisters that were bonded.
40:24And for me, it was,
40:26love me, love my sister.
40:29Let's go.
40:34The more we were there, the more comfortable she seemed.
40:37And then when we went for a walk,
40:39she was just kind of, like, just happy with us, wasn't she?
40:42Come on, then.
40:44Oh, good girl.
40:46Good girl. I'm very excited.
40:49Yeah, you're ready to go, aren't you?
40:51Yes.
40:53I'm kind of 99% certain.
40:57I'll work on the 1%.
41:13Come on, then.
41:15We wanted a dog to be Teddy's friend, Miss Lady Chow.
41:18She was beautiful. It was love at first sight for me.
41:21Yeah. But you made a sit-down, think...
41:23I'd like to take a step back. ..rational decision.
41:26Yeah.
41:29So we got home and we had a chat about it.
41:34We decided...
41:38..that we was having her.
41:40Missy!
41:42Missy!
41:44Good girl. Good girl.
41:46Her name was Miss Lady Chow, but that's a bit of a mouthful for us,
41:49so we've changed it to Missy.
41:52She's settled in perfectly, really.
41:54They get on well and they just love a snooze on the patio.
41:58They have cuddles. It's Teddy's new girlfriend.
42:01We take Teddy and Missy to the groomers together.
42:04Everyone makes fuss of them.
42:06Yeah, they get big fuss made at them. Yeah.
42:08And they come out and it just makes my day.
42:10Hey!
42:13Oh, they look so cute!
42:16Missy's still a little nervous,
42:18but she's definitely come out of her shed.
42:20Good girl, Missy.
42:22He loves having Missy around.
42:24We couldn't have picked a better dog.
42:26Yeah, we couldn't, really. No.
42:28They're enjoying themselves.
42:30They're the most beautiful dogs ever.
42:33Yeah. We are a little biased. Yeah.
42:36They're just a mirror image of each other, really.
42:38Yeah. It's great. Perfect.
42:43MUSIC PLAYS
42:48My first impression of the dogs were,
42:50oh, my gosh, one's huge and one's tiny!
42:54I was a little bit concerned about Annie because she was so nervous.
43:00But actually, you could see the dog that was underneath the nerves.
43:04We thought about it...
43:07..and we decided that we would rehome Ruby and Annie.
43:12Ruby! Annie!
43:14Go on, Annie! Cuddle!
43:16Oh, yes!
43:18We chose to keep their names, but we have added.
43:22So we've got Ruby slippers and Annie Hardknock.
43:26When we met her, she was like little orphan Annie.
43:29She's had a Hardknock life.
43:33Say hello to everyone.
43:35It's been amazing to see the change in Annie.
43:38The more we've relaxed, the more she's relaxed.
43:43Ruby has no off switch.
43:46She's just constant all the time.
43:48I'm going to be honest, I've never been outside so much in my life.
43:53Oh, yes! Have a little rest.
43:56It has changed our life completely.
43:59Now we've got the dogs to share, it's brought us closer together.
44:04It feels like we've got a new family.
44:07It feels amazing.
44:09Yeah, that was a perfect match for us.
44:17Three, two, one!
44:19Oh!
44:21Darcy, she was the one.
44:24And I was like to Mum,
44:26please can we have her, please, please?
44:30Luke made it really clear to me this was non-negotiable.
44:34Darcy, come here!
44:36Yay!
44:38Good girl.
44:40Hi!
44:42She's settling quite well.
44:44And you the other day said you thought she was getting quite sassy.
44:48She gets more sassy by the day.
44:52She's definitely gaining in confidence.
44:55Nutmeg challenge.
44:57On the list of things to build up her confidence is the football.
45:01First thing, make her not scared of the ball.
45:04Yeah.
45:06Second thing, goalkeeper.
45:08She's been a great addition.
45:11She's very intuitive.
45:13Like if I don't look happy, she'll come and, like, sit with me,
45:18and that will make me a lot happier.
45:21She's given him more resilience.
45:24She's given him more resilience
45:27to deal with some of the things at school.
45:30Are you chasing pigeons?
45:32Darcy, come here!
45:34Good girl.
45:36Sometimes I talk to her and I'm like, today's been good.
45:40She is a dream come true.
45:45Could adopting a rescue dog change your life?
45:48To be part of our next series,
45:50please go to channel4.com forward slash take part.
45:57Next time, a nervous stray looks for a way out.
46:01You want to leave us?
46:03Will a crazy cocker spaniel ever sit still?
46:06Oh, dear.
46:08And a laid-back terrier melts hearts.
46:11She's going to cry.