An elderly lurcher who was found frail and alone in a County Durham mining village will spend this Christmas in a warm and loving home after being rescued by the RSPCA.
As reported, Edna, believed to be around 12 years old, was discovered wandering along Station Road in Cornforth on June 23, 2025, by a passing motorist.
The charity said she was painfully thin and had sore eyes, matted fur, decaying teeth and long claws.
Rescuers suspected she had been abandoned due to having no collar or microchip, and she was too frail to have run away from an owner.
Claire Hunt, Felledge Centre Manager, said: “Edna was painfully thin when she came to us. Her teeth were in poor condition, her fur was matted in places, and there was discharge coming from her eyes.
“We don’t believe she would have been mobile enough to run away from an owner, which is why we suspect she may sadly have been abandoned."
But thanks to careful medical treatment, a healthy diet and lots of love, Edna's condition improved.
While in RSPCA care, she was spayed and had all her teeth taken out. She also had an operation to remove a mammary mass before she was put up for adoption.
In September, she was adopted by Lisa and James from Tyne and Wear, who originally visited the Felledge centre to adopt another dog.
“Edna is our first dog, and she’s fitted into our lives perfectly, “ said Lisa.
“Despite her age, she has her crazy moments running around, and she loves to play, explore and do new things.
“She’s so calm and relaxed and happy meeting different people. She likes a short walk every day, as long as it’s not raining - she hates the rain - and then she sleeps for hours on end. She definitely knows what a sofa is."
Edna has even gone on to win rosettes at dog shows, including third place for 'golden oldie' at this year's Kindare Country Show.
The RSPCA are continuing to appeal for information about Edna's past and urges anyone considering adoption to think about giving older dogs a chance.
Claire Hunt continued: "Older dogs still have so much love to give. They tend to have established personalities, good manners, and they’re often calmer and more relaxed to be around.
"They sadly get overlooked, but they make wonderful companions as anyone with a senior dog will tell you."
Lisa added: "We know we won’t have Edna for years and years, but we’ll make sure the time she has with us is happy.
"We’d encourage anyone who is thinking about adopting to consider giving an older dog a home, as they still have so much love to give."
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This Christmas, the charity is partnering with Omaze's Million Pound House Draw to raise funds for its rescue and rehabilitation work, to ensure more animals like Edna can find a better future.
This is Omaze's third partnership with the RSPCA, which will receive a guaranteed donation of £1 million.
Anyone with information about Edna, found on Station Road in Cornforth on June 23, 2025, should contact the RSPCA Inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01555484.
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