My name is: Destiny
I came from: Cyprus
Now I live in: Clacton-on-sea
My favourite things are: Seagulls, flies, the postman, belly rubs, my doggy sister Annie, and my humans
Follow me on Instagram: @pawfectpaphosrescues

Destiny’s story

After adopting my first dog, Annie, in 2018, I became an Underpup for Underdog International. When discovering the news of the Cyprus fire, I knew fostering a second dog would be the best thing to do. This was when I discovered Destiny. I had read the stories of every Cyprus dog and Destiny’s stood out to me. The story of her poisoning and her close death captured my heart and I knew that she was the one. I instantly fell in love with her sweet little face. My mum was hard to convince but she soon gave in and a few days later, I read the email sent to my mum to confirm that we would be fostering Destiny. This made me incredibly happy and I couldn’t wait to meet her.

On the morning of July 25th 2019, we set off to collect our new foster dog. I was super excited to meet her. When Destiny was brought out of the van, she stepped straight towards me and gave me a look of hope. She has been through a major rough patch and she just wanted the life she deserved. She had finally found it. On our journey back home to Clacton, Destiny was very unsettled. Scared, nervous, unsure, she had no clue what was going on. I kept her close to my side and continually reassured her that everything was going to be just fine. She was beginning a new life and her past could be forgotten.

We introduced Destiny to her sister Annie at a nearby field and straight away, there was a very small bond between the two (the pair were from the same pound). They sniffed around side by side and began to interact. After returning from the field, they laid together for most of that day. Annie finally had a new friend and wanted to get used to her. Destiny was still very uncertain about her surroundings and her new family but of course it would take her a while to adjust. To settle her in, I spent my summer holidays sleeping downstairs by her side to form a bond with her. For a long while, she slept out in the hallway. She occasionally stayed next to me but because of her past life, she wasn’t very trusting of me. Weeks of interactions slowly built up her trust and her confidence and now her character is totally different!

After having her for 10 weeks, we decided to permanently adopt Destiny as she fitted right in. Destiny is a very confident character. She sleeps in her own bed, if not, she will be on the sofa looking for love and comfort from us. She stays very close to Annie and follows my mum everywhere! She bounds upstairs and lays outside the toilet door to wait for her. Destiny is very boisterous and loves to run around. She is a happy, loving girl and enjoys every moment of life. She is very trusting of us and most of her nerves have faded away. She used to be very jumpy and easily startled but she has grown out of her old ways.

Destiny has a huge appetite and absolutely LOVES her food. She will take almost anything we offer her but sometimes she can be fussy with her treats. Teaching her to sit and high five was near impossible! She is so cheeky and stubborn and always refuses to hand her paw to us. It takes a while but she always gives in if she gets a whiff of yummy chicken. Her favorites are crunchy biscuits, ice cream (dog-safe) and her top spot is chicken. It is any dog's heaven! When dinner time arrives, Destiny enjoys every last crumb and she never leaves any waste. Her bowl is always spotless.

Destiny enjoys her walkies! She loves a good car ride and a run at the seaside. Our house turns crazy when I announce that we are ‘going out.’ Destiny hops around like a kangaroo and zooms around the house impatiently waiting for her lead to be put on. Her top spots are the field and seaside. At the seaside, she dives in the sea and chases the seagulls away. She always comes home soaking! On every walk, she stays very close to Annie and her recall has become amazing. It was a slow start but now she gets plenty of freedom and always responds to her name. Destiny never used to interact with humans or dogs but now her social side is starting to show and she is greeting the occasional person that passes by.

Playtime in our house is very loud! Annie and Destiny race around chewing each other's legs. They pounce, growl, howl and have an amazing time. Sadly, Destiny has no idea how to play with toys. Although I have tried to teach her, she moves away if one is near her so Annie tends to play with them on her own.

Destiny loves to watch the ‘pussycat’ out of the window and always barks at them. She is a very alert dog and protects our house from all furry beasts! Her favourite spot in the house is definitely the garden. She has a special chair that she is always sunbathing in. In our conservatory, we have a doggy bed and both Annie and Destiny love this spot! Every time, it is always a race to see who can get there first! Destiny’s main hobby has been teaching her Partner In Crime how to bark! Now they both scare off the postman. She also loves to have a small nibble at the letters or tissues.

Destiny has a very goofy side to her character. She has these talking howls as if she is trying to communicate with us. They make me giggle every time. She can be very clumsy and charge into doors. She stretches up doors, walls, fences, anywhere she can stretch her legs, she will. When she rolls over for belly rubs, she has a tickly spot and loves to be tickled there. Destiny enjoys doing zoomies around the house, chasing flies or birds and she loves a good nap. During her sleeps, she howls throughout her dreams. She always tries to stretch out on the sofa and take up all of the room!

Destiny has been with us for 10 months now and she is a wonderful, sweet, adorable dog. She is perfect and I wouldn’t have her any other way. She has brought such joy to my life and I am blessed to have her. I couldn’t imagine it without her.

- Lucy