Rescue dog Alfie bounds into final (From The Northern Echo)

Rescue dog Alfie bounds into final

8:30am Monday 20th October 2008

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A LUCKY dog who repaid his new owner’s kindness with bundles of love has also found his way into the public’s affections.

Alfie, a Newfoundland, has been named North-East RSPCA Dog of the Year, securing a place in next month’s national final.

The competition is the largest exclusively for rescue dogs, crossbred or pedigree. Thousands of people visited the RSPCA’s website to make their selection.

Like the other five regional winners, all rescue dogs, Alfie has a colourful, if not always happy, history.

Although now healthy, that was not the case when he came into the life of new owner Julia Marsh-Pitt, of Chester-le-Street.

It was almost two years ago that the experienced owner of the Newfoundland breed and dogs with behavioural problems contributed to Alfie’s rescue from Ireland.

She said: “He had been starved of love and attention since he was a puppy, neglected in a small garden pen, and was only half the size he should have been. His distinctive black coat had even started to turn grey. I had never seen that before.”

“He ran into our house and into our hearts, changing our lives forever.

“There’s no doubt he has been a challenge and eaten his way through various furnishings, but the love he gives in return more than makes up for it.”

Alfie has helped her through a rare neurological condition, even on her darkest days when she suffered debilitating cluster headaches.

Alfie and the other finalists will be featured in the Sunday Express newspaper, on November 2 and 9, with readers invited to vote by call or text. The result will be revealed on November 16.

The winning dog will receive a trophy, a year’s free RSPCA pet insurance and a day in London for a photo cover shoot for the magazine Dogs Today.

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