My name is: Paulie
I came from: Cyprus
Now I live in: Central London
My favourite things are: Playing fetch, chasing squirrels, being brushed or scratched (it makes me pull a funny face), hunting for treats, stealing socks and curling up with my humans on the sofa.
Follow me on Instagram: @paulie_pups

Paulie’s story

I knew I wanted a rescue dog and not one from a breeder. We spent months repeatedly trying all the animal shelters near us in London with no luck - they either didn't have any suitable dogs or didn't respond to our messages. My boyfriend was starting to suggest that perhaps we should consider a breeder but I knew there must be so many dogs out there that needed a home, we just needed to find them! Then a friend pointed me towards Eve's Instagram account and through that we learned about Underdog International. 

We were a little unsure about adopting a dog from abroad that we had never met before. But Eve said they had a few dogs in the UK already living in temporary foster homes and suggested Paulie might be a good fit for us. We went to visit him in his foster home and loved him instantly! He was so shy but every so often would pluck up the courage to wag his tail or lick my hand.

We went back to pick Paulie up about a week after we first met him. His foster mum was brilliant and gave us lots of advice, told us all of his likes and dislikes and even gave us a bed and lots of toys to take with us so he had some familiar smells around him once he got to ours.

We live in a flat so have to take him out for walks when he needs the loo. At first we would take him out wrapped in a blanket and carry him to our nearest park, put him on the floor for a wee and then wrap him up and carry him back. He would shake with fear the whole time. But over time his confidence increased and we started to walk him gradually more and more of the way there and back. And now he'd be out walking all day if we let him! He loves playing with other dogs in the park and even has his favourite local coffee shop (because the staff in there give him a biscuit whenever he goes in!).

He happily comes with us on trains, buses and the tube and will curl up by our feet in a pub or cafe. We've taken him away for weekends in the countryside too where he bounded around fields and woods all day then passed out exhausted at night. He's so cheeky and affectionate and loves nothing more than curling up in the crook of my legs or waist for a nap. We absolutely adore him and can't imagine life without him now. Thank you so much Underdog!

- Olivia