‘Golden Oldie’ Tinker, 17, Finds Happy Ending Thanks to Manchester Dogs’ Home

Local institution Manchester Dogs’ Home in Harpurhey is celebrating a special success story after one of its oldest residents, 17-year-old Tinker, was re-homed this month.

The Mitra family from Lymm, Cheshire, were looking to adopt a dog after their beloved rescue dog Poppy died unexpectedly at just five years old. Their first family dog having lived to 15, they already had experience of older dogs and they were keen to take on a ‘golden oldie’. When they saw ex-stray Tinker on the Dogs’ Home website, it was love at first sight.

“When we saw a photo of Tinker and saw he was 17, we were immediately taken with him,” says Taniya Mitra, “and when we went to meet him at the Dogs’ Home he was so lovely.

He’s settled right into our home, where he loves his walks and naps. He sleeps with his tongue out and he’s very clever – he’s got quite a knack for opening bins! He’s like a puppy in the body of an elderly dog, as he loves playing with his toys and likes all other dogs.

After the devastation of losing Poppy, as a family we were very keen to take on an older dog, to give them a loving home in their twilight years and to be able to be there for them at the end – a chance that was sadly taken from us with Poppy, but which we think is the ultimate gift for a dog.

Tinker is such a loving and trusting boy, and we’re humbled by him. He’s the best gift and we’d really encourage people to think about adopting older dogs, who have so much love to give in their sunset years.”

Neil Outram, assistant manager at Manchester Dogs’ Home, says: “Tinker’s story is a fantastic example of the happy endings that can be made for older dogs and their new families. Older rescue dogs do get overlooked but they can make really wonderful companions. At the Dogs’ Home we love it when adopters are willing to consider our seniors, who deserve loving homes just as much as the younger dogs.”

Seniors currently available for adoption at the Dogs’ Home include 15-year old Yorkshire terrier cross Gwendoline, 12-year-old husky Tundra, Jack Russell terriers Rupert and Rambo (both 9), crossbreed Pixie (9) and staffie cross Django (8).