My name is: Roo
I came from: Greece
Now I live in: West Yorkshire
My favourite things are: ALL the food, cuddles, cooking myself by the fire and visiting the deer park
Follow me on Instagram: @rooroodoggyroo

Roo’s story

It all started when we were on holiday in Greece. Eve posted a photo of Roo (then Rhubarb) with a desperate plea for someone to give him a home before she had to. I had been pestering my other half about getting a second dog for a while but he always said no, that one was more than enough. So I was surprised and totally delighted when I showed him Roo’s photo and he said yes. Roo was from Greece so it seemed like fate and we fell in love with his beautiful face.

I filled in the forms and we had a home check over Skype so Underdog could check our suitability and we could find out a bit more about Roo. We also got some really helpful advice on introducing Roo to Molly, our 5 year old golden retriever. We were thrilled to be approved and within two weeks Roo was home with us in West Yorkshire. 

My boyfriend picked Roo up from London, where he was staying with some lovely foster parents. He put Roo in the boot but by the time he got in the car too, Roo was already sat up front ready to ride shotgun home! Molly and I met Roo in a park near our house, on neutral territory, and they were both very excited! After a few bum sniffs and tail wags they then walked round the field together side by side. I was so relieved that the introduction went well, my hopes of Molly having a new best friend to play with in sight. 

When we got back to the house and after he’d had a good sniff round we all settled down on the sofa with Roo hopping up onto our laps and snuggling in for a good cuddle and a snooze. It became evident that despite his size (25kg) he saw himself very much as a lap dog. True to Underdog’s description of him, he absolutely loves a cuddle, all visitors to our house get one whether they want one or not! He really leans in and puts his head on your shoulder, I’ve never seen a dog do anything like it! Roo seemed at home straight away and that first night he curled up on the armchair and slept peacefully on his own in the lounge. We didn’t hear a peep out of him, he was as good as gold. 

Roo is such a smart pup, he had a few toilet training accidents in the first week with us but once he got it that was it. He has learnt all the basic commands - sit, down, paw and waits politely for his food which he scoffs down in seconds.  Don’t get me wrong, he can be hard work at times. He is fascinated by the countryside and therefore finds it hard to concentrate on commands outdoors. So he’s still on the lead for now but we have had some great advice from one of Underdog’s behaviourists and we’re working on his recall.  

It also turned out that Molly was quite happy being an “only dog”, getting all the belly rubs and games of fetch a pup could wish for. Then Roo the rascal arrived and turned everything upside down for her. He has destroyed almost all of her toys and jumps in-between us if Molly is having a cuddle but she is so patient with him. She has been a good big sister and taught him so many things - how to bark at the neighbours, the dishwasher has the best leftovers and it's time to hide if you hear the bath running. Plus he has taught her how to pee like a boy! On the rare occasion when they are apart, Roo is so excited to see her, he likes to barge into her as hello, not surprisingly she is more indifferent! However we’ve had Roo six months now and as the weeks go by they get closer and closer, even cuddling up together from time to time which totally makes my day. 

It’s obvious that Roo must’ve been someone’s pet before and it breaks my heart that someone abandoned him as all he wants is to be loved. All we know about Roo’s past is that he lived as a stray with his brother for a while but Roo caught parvovirus (which can be fatal in dogs) and was taken in by the vets and nursed back to health. That’s how he found his way to Underdog International and eventually the U.K and us. He is one of the lucky ones. Through the wonders of Instagram I am in touch with one of the locals that helped to rescue Roo and he looks out for other strays in the village where Roo is from. We had news yesterday that Roo’s brother was poisoned this week along with another dog and sadly they didn’t make it. 

So if you have room in your life for a dog, please choose a rescue. It is a big commitment and at times will be hard work but it will bring you so much joy and you really will be saving a life.

- Kerry