After 1,000 days Battersea's 'unluckiest dog' Bud finally finds home in the Black Country
He became known as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's unluckiest dog – but Greyhound cross Bud finally has a new home with a Black Country family.
Bud had been trying to sniff out a loving family for nearly three years – but now his tail will be well and truly wagging.
Finally, his luck changed for the better when he was rehomed by the Corns family, who spotted him on Battersea's ITV series Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs.
Ian Corns and his family, who live on Ketley Road in Kingswinford, answered Paul's personal appeal on the programme for a home for Bud, who is the charity's longest-stay dog having been with them for more than 1,000 days.
The average stay at Battersea is 30 days for a dog.
His new owner Ian said: "When I saw Bud on the Battersea programme I couldn't stop looking at him. His character shone through and he reminded me so much of our old collie-cross Rune.
"We called Battersea Old Windsor and they arranged for us to come and meet him."
Due to the popularity of the TV programme, Ian had expected Bud would have already been adopted by the time they called and he might be barking up the wrong tree, but thought he would try just in case.
He was delighted to discover his desired new pet was still available, and after the family went to meet Bud it was clear they were the ones the lonely mutt had been waiting for, and their application was successful.
The seven-year-old dog has now moved into his new and long-awaited home, and is already very much part of the family.
"Now we've got Bud we can't believe he's been looking for a home for so long. He fits in so well already. He loves being involved in whatever the family is doing and we've all fallen in love with him."
The father, who works for Wolverhampton City Council, added: "When we lost our collie Rune in January, it felt like a part of the family was missing. Now we have Bud it's complete again.
"Bud's brilliant. Really funny, intelligent and a bit cheeky. I couldn't believe it when I heard how long he had been at Battersea. I can't see any reason why, and the staff didn't know either."
Whenever a dog has appeared on the ITV programme still needing a home, the show's millions of UK viewers have always responded in their droves, showing once again how much of an animal-mad nation we are.
Paul O'Grady is thrilled to hear Bud had been rehomed. He said: "I can't think of a better way to end the series than with knowing Bud has found a family.
"It broke my heart to think that he might spend a fourth Christmas without a home, so I'm over-the-moon to hear he'll be surrounded by love this festive season. Bud is such an amazing dog and he deserves to have a happy ending to his story."
Bud came into Battersea in November 2013, because his owners' circumstances changed and they were no longer able to take care of him.
He spent the first couple of years in kennels before going out on foster with two of the home's volunteers, to give him some stability while he waited for his forever-home. Battersea Old Windsor centre manager Kaye Mughal said: "Since Bud arrived at Battersea the charity has rehomed omore than 5,500 dogs, yet Bud was constantly being overlooked and we were at a loss to understand why.
"He's such a wonderful dog with a great personality. But as soon as Bud appeared in the show the phone started ringing off the hook. When we spoke to Ian and his family everything seemed to click into place."
