Gaspar, the dog who couldn't be homed

Gaspar was the original dog who couldn't be homed. He was one of three very timid podenco-cross puppies left at the gate of PAWS Shelter just before Christmas 2005. For a long while they were impossible to approach, but with patient work and persistence by the Shelter manager and a couple of volunteers, two of them became a bit more confident. Eventually they were found homes in the UK via Ibizan Hound Rescue.

That left Gaspar on his own without even the protection of his siblings. He simply couldn't make any progress - several of those who tried to work with him began to believe he could never be homed. But not the Shelter manager, Valerie Wood, who had first taken him in.

Valerie had left PAWS to return to the UK, but she never forgot Gaspar. Living in North Yorkshire and working now for Ibizan Hound Rescue she kept searching for just the right home - and eventually found it with a lovely family in the Lake district. And back in Spain, it was almost as if Gaspar understood what was happening. He suddenly began to grow in confidence, and embarked on his journey to England quite happily, proving to be the perfect traveller along the way.

The photos below, show just how well he has settled in! And his new owners are utterly delighted with him:

"We have given him a new name for his new home - Encasa - and he is doing so well. We moved house about 3 weeks ago and it didn't bother him one bit, he settled immediately and loves living here, especially as we get to go to the beach most days and he gets to run about. With me he is a normal happy dog, but he has been slower with my husband (his fear of men is so deep-rooted). If Roy is standing up Encasa will still not come too close - but they happily cuddle up on the sofa/bed together which Encasa loves (as you can see in the photo).

We have just started to allow other people to stroke Encasa (after months of everyone been instructed to ignore him) and he is really responding to it. we have walked him around the village a few times which he is ok with - he even met a cat the other day and was great (they touched noses, said hello, and then he carried on with his walk).

There is absolutely nothing negative about this boy at all....perfect is a huge word but he is just so wonderful, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have him here."

It has taken years love and care for Gaspar "the unhomeable" to turn into Encasa the homeboy. But it was worth every moment of that time and effort. PAWS is pledged never to put down a healthy animal, because we know there will be always be someone out there just waiting for him or her. Encasa (as he now is) is living testament to that.