A dog saved from a Romanian kill shelter is set to enjoy his first ever Scots Christmas.
Domino was saved from a ‘terrible situation’ eight weeks ago by the Islay Dog Rescue centre, based in Cumnock.
The seven-year-old crossbreed had been living on the streets before dog catchers put him in the pound where he waited on death row.
The Scots shelter rescued him but sadly traumatised Domino struggled to cope with kennel life here.
Despite being ‘well cared for’, the pup became ‘stressed’ as he refused to walk and was even too scared to play.
But now thanks to big hearted volunteer Melissa, the dog has ‘turned a corner’ after being finally taken home and fostered.
His rescuers shared pictures of the delighted dog enjoying the festive season as he is set to experience his first real Christmas.
Islay Dog Rescue centre told the Daily Record: “Domino really struggled in kennels and shut down.
“It’s true to say that, although safe and well cared for here, he was not enjoying his time.
“He refused to walk without lots of company, he was reluctant to play and was just very stressed in the kennels. It was a poor situation.
“We managed to get him into foster care and he has now turned the corner.”
Domino is still up for adoption but has been taken in by his foster family so he can enjoy the Christmas period out of kennel life.
Islay dog rescue centre saves dogs from all over the world who are set to be put down over funding or care issues.
The shelter is now begging Scots to be more careful when buying pets as they are bombarded with requests to help dogs who have been bought online.
The centre said: “The general public see a picture of a cute dog or a dog in poor condition that they want to save.
“They adopt it from the picture and pay a fee for the dog to transported over.
“These dogs have not been properly assessed and will have travelled for days in a van, so will often be totally stressed.
“Every single week I'm asked repeatedly to take in these dogs because people aren't coping.
“There is no rescue back up at all, so dogs and humans are at risk.
“We bring the dogs to our kennels where they are properly assessed to the best of our ability before being matched with suitable homes.”
If you want to adopt Domino, or a dog like him, you can find out more information on the Islay Dog Rescue Facebook page.
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