When Hank the Labrador arrived at Dogs Trust Bridgend, he was severely underweight and in desperate need of some help. Now, after months of treatment and support, he is ready to spend his first Christmas in his forever home.
Three-year-old Hank the Labrador, previously known as ‘Chunk’ arrived at Dogs Trust in May 2024 in a shocking condition—in pain with every step and severely underweight,10kgs below a healthy weight for a Labrador.
On arrival at Dogs Trust Bridgend, his health was critical, and the team braced themselves for the worst. The Dogs Trust team discovered that as a pup, Hank’s chronic stomach issues had gone untreated due to financial constraints, and without treatment, had worsened over time.
Through extensive tests, exploratory surgery and painstaking trial and error, Hank slowly transitioned to a prescription diet, fed in small, frequent portions to not overwhelm his body. Thankfully, Hank began to gain weight, keep food down and grow, not just in size, but in confidence.
As Hank’s health improved, his vibrant and loving personality began to shine through, and he quickly cemented his place as a favourite among the staff. Once he was stable enough, he moved into a foster home with Tracy Williams from South Wales and her family, continuing his recovery with them, settling in quickly and continuing to be a delight.
Thanks to Tracey’s care and the support of Dogs Trust, his weight and condition continued to improve, and Hank was soon ready to be put up for rehoming. But little did the team know that Hank had other plans and had already settled into his happy place with Tracy and her family who decided to offer Hank a permanent home.
Tracy, Hank’s adopter said: “We’re so happy to have Hank in his forever home for Christmas!”
“Hank was so loved by the team at Dogs Trust, who gave him the best care possible, and it is clear just how much care and dedication they gave to him.
“Once we took Hank in as our foster dog, we couldn’t let him go! He is a wonderful boy, and we love him dearly. He has settled in so well and we’re so happy to give him a Christmas in his happy place where we can take him on some festive walks, give him lots of treats and love.
Darren Oakley, Manager at Dogs Trust Bridgend said: “Hank’s journey is a testament to the dedication and care our team provide the dogs at Dogs Trust.
“Dogs like Hank show that every dog deserves a second chance, no matter their background.
“Seeing him go from such a poorly pup to thriving in a loving forever home is so lovely to see, and we are so happy that Hank is in his forever home for Christmas and beyond.”
“We have many other dogs still looking for their forever home. While we will make sure their Christmas is as happy as possible here at Dogs Trust Bridgend, we’d love to find them a permanent home as soon as possible. If you are ready to welcome a canine friend into your life, pop over to our website to meet some of our dogs. Our team will work with you to match you to a dog that is right for you and your family.”
