A Redditch woman has given a forever home to a dog charity’s oldest pair of pooches after their owner passed away.

Dogs Trust Evesham has been looking after two 17-year-old Collie crosses, Sheba and Teddy, which are believed to be the oldest doggy duo ever care for by the charity.

The pair were brought into the rehoming centre in November last year following the death of their owner, having spent their whole lives as beloved pets.

Older dogs often take longer to rehome, coupled with the fact they needed to be rehomed as a pair, meant they received little interest.

Then up stepped Dogs Trust volunteer Sue Lewis, 69 and from Redditch.

“I fell in love with Sheba and Teddy instantly after I went out on a walk with them and one of their carers, Callum,” said Sue.

“He was telling me all about how they were being overlooked by potential adopters due to the fact they are an older pair and my heart broke.

“I said, ‘do you think they’d like to come and live with me’ and the rest is history!” 

Redditch Advertiser: Sue Lewis has adopted Dogs Trust's oldest ever pair of poochesSue Lewis has adopted Dogs Trust's oldest ever pair of pooches (Image: Dogs Trust)

Sue has been volunteering at the Evesham rehoming centre since last September after losing her dog, Muttley, a year before.

She found Muttley as an abandoned stray as a puppy and he lived to the grand old age of 16.

Sue said that when the time felt right to get another dog, she wanted to rescue a dog.

“It's so nice to be greeted by a waggy tail again after so long,” she said.

“Sheba and Teddy have settled in amazingly well, you can tell they were much-loved pets and used to their home comforts.

“I’m just so happy I was able to keep them together in their twilight years to live out their lives with us.”

Chris Slight, rehoming centre manager at Dogs Trust Evesham, added: “Sheba and Teddy’s world was turned upside down when their owner died, and we were all eager to find them a home together – which was proving difficult due to their age and because we were looking for an owner to take on a pair.

“Luckily Sue fell in love with them and it’s been the ideal outcome for everyone.”

Chris has urged people to consider adopting an older dog, which often require less exercise and are more likely to be house-trained.

“They can also make the perfect napping partner and enjoy a good snooze and a snuggle in the evening,” he added.

For more information visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming.