Meet Tetley: the dog in Dubai that's been waiting almost eight years for a home

A post is going viral on social media asking for a forever home for Tetley who has been at K9 Friends Dubai since 2012

Good boy: Tetley has been waiting almost eight years for a forever home. Courtesy K9 Friends Dubai
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Tetley has gotten very good at waiting. Brought to K9 Friends at just four months old along with his mother and siblings back in January 2012, what was only supposed to be a few months has turned into years. Eight years to be exact. And the plea to find Tetley his forever home has now gone viral.

K9 Friends shared Tetley's story on social media, and the post has attracted immense interest. But while many people online have expressed an interest in adopting Tetley, it’s still important for those at the organisation to make sure they find the right home. Belinda Prince, who is the manager at K9 Friends, explains the situation is not always as easy as people make it out to be.

Tetley, right, and a friend pose together. Courtesy K9 Friends Dubai
Tetley, right, and a friend pose together. Courtesy K9 Friends Dubai

All the dogs at K9 live in pairs in a kennel with an air-conditioned inside area and their own run so they have constant companionship and access to both indoors and outdoors at all times. They play in groups of up to 10 dogs several times a day and they have a specially designed routine. They get exercise, socialised and groomed by volunteers and taken out on walks by members of the public.

Prince describes Tetley as a “happy boy who gets on well with his kennel mate but takes time to form new doggy friendships.”

She adds: “Dogs don’t think like humans and while we may feel we are giving them a sanctuary in our home, to a dog, any new environment is a big, scary new world. Imagine going from living in your own place with a friend to being in a huge giant’s home all on your own?”

The perfect home 

For Tetley, the perfect home would be with a family that has patience and unconditional love for him.

"He is used to the environment here where he always has another dog with him and he gets to play with groups of dogs several times a day. He is used to companionship and having people around all day. He would not be able to cope being on his own for long periods as he is not used to it. He is nervous of loud noises and new experiences," says Prince.

"He’s not good with cats and would be better with older children who won’t startle him or jump on him. He needs someone with a lot of patience, who is home most of the day and who will have no expectations of him. He will need time to adjust to a new life."

K9 Friends is a shelter that rescues abandoned and stray dogs in the UAE and helps them find new loving homes. It was formed in 1989 and continues to help animals around the Emirates.

Tetley isn't the only dog needing a home. Here's a gallery of other dogs at K9 Friends: 

Those who are interested in adopting Tetley can get in touch with K9 Friends on Facebook or by email at info@k9friends.com