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00:01Now I know what you're thinking.
00:03A special at this time of year means festive cheer,
00:06catchy jingles and carols around the tree.
00:10The only problem is, I hate Christmas.
00:18It's the most wonderful time of the year
00:24With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer
00:32It's the most wonderful time of the year
00:40No, no, no, no, no, no.
00:42Oh, what fun it is to ride on a one-horse open sleigh.
00:50It's Christmas.
00:51It's a nice big tree you got.
00:53Do you like it? It's a really nice one, isn't it? It's got donated.
00:55You seem to have everything in hands.
00:56No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Sunshine.
00:58I need some help decorating this bad boy.
01:00Lisa, you know I don't like Christmas.
01:02You love it, really.
01:05What are we doing, then?
01:07Right, come on, Sunshine.
01:08We're making this Christmas tree look beautiful.
01:11I love the centre at Christmas.
01:12Like, we do go a little bit over the top.
01:14I know that'll come as a bit of a shock to you.
01:15Yeah, what a shock.
01:17The dogs are here all year round,
01:19and we're always looking for homes for them,
01:20but I think at Christmas we want it to feel like a home
01:24as much as we can make it.
01:25You know, it's a special time.
01:27Do you see an increase in dogs coming in in sort of January?
01:31Yeah, we see, yeah, absolutely.
01:32Is it still the same case where people have got puppies and dogs for Christmas
01:36and then actually either they don't want them
01:38or can't look after them properly?
01:40Yeah, and you see that puppy farms will gear up as well.
01:43Yeah.
01:43So then the puppies that maybe weren't adopted,
01:45you start seeing some of those coming through as well.
01:47I don't know, it just feels harder at Christmas.
01:50So tell me why you don't like Christmas.
01:52Oh, I've never really been a big fan of Christmas,
01:56and I normally just spend Christmas on my own with my dogs,
02:02like Scrooge.
02:03But I have to say,
02:05if I was going to spend Christmas with anyone,
02:09it would be my little family here.
02:11Yeah, well, you're very welcome.
02:13Oh, I don't mean you, I mean the dogs.
02:15Shall we try and get the lights on?
02:16Oh, this is going to be a nightmare.
02:17Christmas is not Christmas unless you have tangled lights.
02:20I wouldn't, no, I've never put up a Christmas tree in my own home.
02:22Do you not have anything Christmasy at all?
02:24No, not a thing.
02:24Do you buy presents?
02:26Um, no, I don't.
02:29I give envelopes of cash out.
02:30That's the most un-Christmasy thing I've ever heard.
02:32Well, no, you can go and get what you want then, can't you?
02:34No, but it's the thought of Christmas.
02:35Yeah, I've thought, get something you want.
02:38Here's the money.
02:39No.
02:39I reckon we're winning this war, you know, my friend.
02:43How about this?
02:49No, you've got too much rounds here.
02:52I'll tell you what, I'm going to be the elf to your Grinch.
02:54You are going to be so cheered this Christmas.
02:58Yeah?
02:58What to do with yourself.
02:58This wasn't a good start.
03:01You know what's going to happen, don't you?
03:02The second you look out, the start.
03:03Oh, yeah, you're going to redo it, aren't you?
03:04Yeah, the whole thing.
03:06Oh, ring the bells for Christmas.
03:11Good puppy.
03:13Good girl.
03:14Yes, good girl.
03:17Good girl.
03:19For many, Christmas is a time to stop and rest.
03:22Good boy.
03:23But the reality is, no matter the time of year,
03:26these centres have new and often heartbreaking cases
03:28coming in every single day.
03:31Hey, guys.
03:32I have just heard that there are eight collies
03:37who have come in, three adults and five puppies.
03:40We don't really know anything about them.
03:44We've been seized from a property through, like, neglect.
03:48Literally the first time we're just meeting them now.
03:50It's kind of unusual for eight dogs all to come in together,
03:54especially as the three adults apparently are boys.
03:57The first of the adult collies is taken carefully off the van.
04:01Are we OK?
04:03Here we go.
04:04Well done.
04:05And over to the compound to see vet Mark and nurse Charlotte.
04:09They were in cramped cages, not just one,
04:12multiple dogs in cramped cages,
04:14no bedding whatsoever and no water.
04:16Oh, my God.
04:19I mean, it's just a crate.
04:21They have nothing.
04:22Absolutely nothing.
04:23How could anyone do that, you know?
04:31Hello, mate.
04:33Have you got any idea how old he might be?
04:35He's got a bit of tartar build-up
04:36and there's also a fair degree of staying in,
04:38so maybe somewhere between three and five, I would guess.
04:42Mark gives the adult male
04:43what is probably his first ever vaccination.
04:46We're done.
04:46Good, Matt.
04:47Yeah, good boy.
04:48And leaves me the job of naming him.
04:51Colin?
04:53Yeah.
04:53Are you a Colin?
04:54That could be the first time you've ever had a name.
04:55Yeah.
04:55Hello, Colin.
04:56Nice to meet you.
04:57I'm Pete.
04:59A much happier-looking Colin
05:00is taken to a clean and dry kennel
05:02as the second dog arrives.
05:05Hello, buddy.
05:07Hello.
05:08Hello, mate.
05:09I feel like he needs a real solid name.
05:11Yeah.
05:11I'm thinking Nigel.
05:14Love it.
05:14He looks like a Nigel.
05:15A happy boy.
05:17Probably just happy to be out of those crates.
05:19Yeah.
05:20Nigel is also vaccinated.
05:22There we go.
05:23Good boy.
05:24Done.
05:25He's a good boy.
05:26Yes, Nigel.
05:27Yeah, I know, buddy.
05:29I know.
05:30It's OK.
05:31It's OK.
05:32But the last of the adults
05:34seems too terrified to even leave the van.
05:39Would you like to get out?
05:40Come on in.
05:43I know, mate.
05:44I know it's a lot.
05:47Staff have named him Graham.
05:51Hi.
05:52Are you going to come and see me?
05:54Are you?
05:55That's so brave.
05:56Well done.
05:58Well done.
06:00Steady.
06:01Steady, steady, steady.
06:03We did it.
06:04Well done.
06:05We did it.
06:06He looks a little bit older than the other one,
06:08so he might have been in that situation for longer.
06:12You're Grandad Graham.
06:13I think that suits you.
06:15I'm Pete.
06:16Nice to meet you.
06:18You're safe now, buddy.
06:19The effects of being in a cage for so long
06:23have clearly taken their toll on Grandad Graham's body.
06:27His muscle mass is definitely reduced on the back legs.
06:29He looks like he's uncomfortable.
06:31His lower front teeth, he's also missing quite a few,
06:34and he's also got a fractured tooth.
06:35I mean, he's a beautiful, beautiful dog.
06:38He's another dog who you can see
06:40has obviously been treated horrendously,
06:43but seems to have the most beautiful nature.
06:46With the adults all checked,
06:48the puppies need some attention over in the vet block.
06:53First to be seen is Tammy.
06:55You know, you can feel her ribs,
06:56but they're not overly, overly prominent.
06:59We do know that they have been passing some worms.
07:01So no kissing.
07:02No kissing.
07:03I'm glad you've told me that.
07:06There you go.
07:08Hello.
07:08Hello, buddy.
07:10Pot belly.
07:11Oh, you've got a little pot belly.
07:13So it's...
07:13I mean, all the puppies have got worms.
07:15Yeah.
07:15So in slightly worse condition than Tammy, but...
07:17No major alarm bells ringing.
07:19All right.
07:22Oh, stop here, boy.
07:26A little bit in love?
07:28Just give me a minute.
07:29The little blue-eyed boy.
07:32The puppies appear to have the Merle gene,
07:34which gives dogs this distinctive coat pattern
07:36and often blue eyes.
07:39Tommy Blue Eyes.
07:40Yes.
07:41Tommy Blue Eyes is your mafia name.
07:43Yes, it is.
07:44You're so beautiful.
07:45Look at your little face.
07:47Oh, darn.
07:47Another one with blue eyes.
07:48Yeah, so another little blue-eyed pup there.
07:50Oh, you're a little...
07:51You're tiny.
07:53Oh, you're considerably smaller.
07:54Yeah.
07:54Merle dogs fetch a high price.
07:57However, irresponsible breeding can lead to many health issues,
08:01particularly with their eyes.
08:03Is there anything that you're worried about there?
08:06No sort of initial major worries on the eyes.
08:08I think it's just more how small she is that's the main concern.
08:11Breeding two dogs with the Merle gene is considered highly unethical,
08:15as the resulting puppy is very likely to be completely deaf or blind.
08:20This is the last one.
08:22Oh, my God, look at you.
08:24Oh, wow.
08:25Yeah.
08:26Unfortunately, this one obviously has something going on.
08:30You can initially see there's a problem with his eyes.
08:34You want to have a cuddle?
08:35You want to have a little cuddle?
08:36The colour in here, there's a bit of a yellow tinge to this.
08:41Presumably, this staining is this urine.
08:43Yeah, so that's going to be urine, yeah.
08:46Being kept in unsungry conditions,
08:47you get that staining of the fur and it's really not very nice.
08:53And compared to the others who immediately found the lick mat,
08:56this poor pup doesn't even know it's there.
08:59Bless him.
09:00He couldn't find my hand.
09:11He found that quite difficult.
09:13Good boy, well done.
09:14Do we know if there is vision at all?
09:17So we'll have a closer look.
09:18The eye itself is quite small.
09:20I don't think there's going to be any vision in that left eye.
09:23The right eye.
09:25So you can slightly see the iris,
09:28but I'm not convinced there's any vision in that eye either,
09:30to be honest.
09:31So the kind of first initial look is that this puppy is completely blind?
09:36Yeah, probably blind and would have been born that way, really.
09:41So, I mean, that was a lot.
09:45How could anyone do that?
09:48Just a real sad, sad case.
09:51I mean, it's bad enough the older dogs being in that situation,
09:53but those puppies, that's all they've known.
09:55Like, that poor dog may have never seen
09:58and may never be able to see.
10:01So, another little boy needs a name.
10:05A very special name for this one.
10:08This is Tiny Tim.
10:12Despite everything they've been through,
10:13they just wanted a little bit of love.
10:15You might not be able to see me,
10:20but I see you.
10:21And you're beautiful.
10:31It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
10:35Everywhere you go
10:40At the centre in Basildon,
10:42Lisa hasn't forgotten her promise
10:44to try and turn this Grinch into a Christmas believer.
10:48What are all these presents for?
10:49Oh, it's so cute.
10:50The dogs can all come and choose a present from the Present River.
10:53It's adorable.
10:55Have you specifically given me the hardest thing to wrap?
10:59Have you ever wrapped a present before?
11:00No.
11:01Presentation, not really a thing, then.
11:13I think the dogs will love it.
11:15Yep.
11:17So, the dogs are going to come in
11:18and they get to pick any present they want?
11:20Any present they like.
11:21They've all got, like, your treats, squeakers,
11:23all dog-friendly.
11:25I mean, they just get so excited.
11:26And I imagine mine will go first,
11:28obviously, because of the wrapping.
11:31Yeah.
11:32So, we've got Laurie first up.
11:34We love Laurie.
11:35There we go.
11:36What are we going with?
11:37Straight in, using her nose.
11:40Oh, literally like a kid at Christmas, isn't it?
11:42So, so like a kid at Christmas.
11:45Oh, yeah!
11:49Oh, Sandy!
11:51Hold on.
11:52Is this Sandy's first Christmas?
11:54Yeah, it's my first Christmas.
11:59This is very cute.
12:00Very cute.
12:01Treat ball.
12:02Treat ball.
12:02Yay!
12:09You've got a present.
12:13Maui!
12:13Hi!
12:14Hi!
12:14Maui!
12:15Hi!
12:15Maui's a bit of a pro at this,
12:17because he's been with us a couple of years now.
12:18So this is second Christmas?
12:20Second Christmas, which is a real shame,
12:22because he's a lovely lad.
12:24Oh, Maui!
12:25You've got a flamingo, buddy.
12:27Willow!
12:28Hello!
12:29Hello, babe!
12:30This year's Christmas number three with us, yeah.
12:33Willow, you can have whatever you want.
12:35Oh, she's getting all of yours.
12:37Yeah.
12:37Yay, Willow.
12:38Bye, Willow.
12:39Hello.
12:40So much fun for the dogs.
12:42If you could have one Christmas wish, Lisa, what would it be?
12:44Erm, oh, easy.
12:46Some of their long-termers into homes, absolutely.
12:48Like, shadow of a doubt.
12:49They've been here too long.
12:51Only blue, oh, black day.
12:56Oh, no.
12:58Unlike the long-termers, over in the compound,
13:01Basildon's most recent additions, the collie dogs,
13:04are experiencing everything for the first time.
13:07So I fall in love just a little, oh, little bit every day.
13:12Good boy, that was nice.
13:14Even though they arrived here from terrible conditions just a week ago,
13:18puppy.
13:18The puppies are bouncing back,
13:20with tiny Tim needing just a little more help.
13:25Oh, Tim, sorry.
13:27He's been on my mind lots,
13:29so I'm going to check in on him with handler Jordan.
13:34Puppies!
13:34Hello.
13:35Oh, hello, buddy.
13:37How are you?
13:37Have you missed me?
13:38I've missed you.
13:39Hello, everyone.
13:41Haven't missed those worms one bit, though.
13:43How have they been getting on, Jordan?
13:44Really well, actually.
13:45Settled in a little bit more now.
13:47All their little personalities are coming out.
13:48Yeah?
13:49Last time we were worried about little Timmy.
13:52Yeah, so he bumps into things every now and again,
13:54which is to be expected,
13:56but because he's now getting used to the room and where everything is,
13:59he kind of navigates pretty well at the minute.
14:01And is there anything that will be done with his eyes?
14:03Yeah.
14:04He will be going for a referral.
14:06To, like, an eye specialist?
14:06Yes.
14:07Just see if there's anything that could be done for him.
14:11So, yeah, we'll know more once he's been to a specialist.
14:15It's going to be an agonising wait
14:17to see if there's any hope for Tiny Tim and his eyes.
14:21But I've got to admit,
14:22it's so lovely seeing the other four puppies thrive.
14:25Hi, Tinkerbell.
14:27That's your sister.
14:32She's a savage.
14:33She loves you.
14:34Sadly, the eldest of the collies doesn't seem to be doing so well.
14:45Good boy.
14:46Let's go.
14:47We're just going to take it nice and slow
14:49and just go at its own pace, really.
14:51It's a lot for him.
14:52He's probably feeling a little overwhelmed.
14:55Are you OK?
14:56Are you OK?
14:58Good boy.
14:59Shall we go and have a look in the compound?
15:06Oh, my God, I love him.
15:08He'll only walk next to a wall,
15:10a likely result of being confined for so long.
15:13He doesn't like open spaces.
15:15Like, he hasn't gone round the outside.
15:17Oh, I know.
15:19That's such a good boy.
15:23Confinement's also had a big impact on his mobility,
15:26so Physio Lauren's been called.
15:29All right, Lauren.
15:30Hello.
15:30We're going to see Grandad Graham.
15:32It'll be the first time I've actually met him.
15:33I've seen him as we've been wandering around,
15:35but been told by the vet team
15:37they're worried that he's quite stiff.
15:38We know he's older.
15:39Yeah.
15:40I mean, they've come from such a horrible, horrible situation.
15:42Yeah.
15:43Yeah, not Graham.
15:44Bless him.
15:47Just walk up and down, yeah?
15:49Yeah.
15:49Nice and slow for him.
15:50Perfect.
15:52So, already, straight away,
15:54you see that he's quite slow.
15:56Those joints might be a bit sore.
15:59You can see he's not got the muscle mass he should.
16:01His legs should be sort of this wide
16:03and, like, all of his hamstrings up back here,
16:05it arcs in when it should go fairly straight down
16:07and be full of muscle.
16:09He's been sat in a crate for all that time.
16:11Not only are his muscles not even switching on
16:13and being used,
16:15so that also his joints can't even open and close,
16:17so we can't just take his exercise levels
16:20from here to here.
16:21We've got to increase it really slowly.
16:22OK.
16:24Luckily for Grandad Graham,
16:26Lauren has a lot of tricks up her sleeve.
16:28Oh, you've got all the gadgets.
16:29I've got all the gadgets, yeah.
16:30So, Graham's going to have a bit of pulse mag,
16:32he's going to have a bit of laser.
16:34Pulse mag?
16:35Yes.
16:35What's that?
16:36OK, if I give you Graham,
16:37you'd be in charge of Grandad Graham.
16:39Hello.
16:39So, essentially, they're these pads
16:42and we can create a magnetic field.
16:44If you put a magnet on it,
16:45you'll see that it rocks a little bit.
16:47So we can put this behind him
16:49and we can just lay it on his bum.
16:51And what's good about that is it's quite deep,
16:53so it can get right into his joints,
16:54right into his bones and help him.
16:57This non-invasive treatment
16:58promotes healing and reduces pain.
17:01Oh, wow, you can.
17:02You can feel it.
17:02Yeah.
17:03I can feel it splut through him.
17:05He'll also be having some laser therapy.
17:08Are you ready for this?
17:09I can't wait.
17:09We look like the pet shop boys.
17:12We look like something.
17:14The therapy uses light to reduce inflammation
17:17and improve mobility.
17:20Good boy.
17:21Start really gently to start with
17:23because he hasn't actually got that much muscle.
17:25So I've got to rub this really gently,
17:27otherwise it is bouncing over his bones.
17:29There you go.
17:31But despite the rehabilitation,
17:34Graham's old age means there won't be a miracle cure.
17:37There'll be things about him
17:38that we probably can't change
17:39because the damage is done,
17:41but number one,
17:42I want to see that his legs are beefier.
17:44Want to put some junk in that trunk, bad boy?
17:46Get some junk in his trunk.
17:47Bless him.
17:48Considering what a horrendous,
17:51horrendous life he's probably had up until this point,
17:54he's such a lovely boy.
17:56Yeah, he's a real sweetheart.
17:59Grandad Graham's rehab will continue
18:01until the team start to see an improvement,
18:04which means he's going to be here for some time.
18:06Good boy.
18:07Hopefully, the puppy's stay won't be as long.
18:10I'm going in for a cuddle
18:11while I still have the chance.
18:13Oh, look.
18:14Oh, Tommy!
18:17Where's everyone else?
18:18Yeah, when you were last here,
18:21they were all here, weren't they?
18:22Yeah.
18:24Some of them aren't very well.
18:26As in?
18:27As in, they've been sort of rushed to the vet.
18:29Over the weekend,
18:30Theodore, Tim and Tinkerbell became quite poorly.
18:33Just really lethargic.
18:36A lot of diarrhoea.
18:37Quite dehydrated.
18:38So they're on drips at the moment.
18:40Oh, wow.
18:41So it's quite serious.
18:42Yeah.
18:43It's not great when puppies are real.
18:45They've got very little immunity.
18:47They're not fully vaccinated yet,
18:49so they're susceptible to everything.
18:51Like, seriously?
18:52Yeah.
18:58At the off-site vet,
19:00Tiny Tim, Theodore and Tinkerbell
19:02are being closely monitored by vet Ian.
19:05These puppies have been with us
19:06for nearly 24 hours now.
19:08We hope that there may be some form of infection.
19:11We've been collecting faecal samples.
19:13Some of the samples are going to be sent to a lab
19:15for further testing.
19:17The puppies are being tested
19:19for several serious diseases,
19:21including parvovirus.
19:24Parvovirus can be a really serious condition.
19:27It can be life-threatening
19:28because they're still very young puppies
19:30because where they came from
19:31wasn't the best of circumstances.
19:33They could still have a bit of a weaker immune system,
19:35so they still may be vulnerable.
19:36And they can waste away very quickly
19:39given how small they are.
19:40It can be really serious
19:41and really, really fast.
19:43While we wait anxiously for news
19:58on Tiny Tim and The Puppies,
20:00back in Basildon,
20:04there's some good news for Colin and Nigel.
20:06Nigel is going to be the newest
20:13and much-loved member
20:15of the Pankhurst family.
20:17Hi, sweetie.
20:19And Colin has found his forever home
20:21with Tracey and Ian.
20:23Are you ready to go home?
20:24He's even got a new best mate
20:32and he's loving life in the great outdoors.
20:37It's not quite the same story
20:39for Grandad Graham, though,
20:41who's just been anaesthetised
20:42ahead of some much-needed dental work.
20:45How are they looking?
20:47Pretty horrendous.
20:48Oh, wow.
20:49He's lost all of his bottom incisors there already.
20:52We know that he was kept in that crate.
20:53Yeah, they chew on the bars
20:55and then it breaks their teeth off.
20:57So could that be something
20:58where they've been ground down?
21:00Yeah, I think there's a good chance
21:01that that could have been the cause for this.
21:03Grandad Graham,
21:04you're going to be feeling better
21:05after this, though.
21:06You could go back a bit more there.
21:13Right.
21:14All right, tail done.
21:15Beautiful.
21:16You all right with that?
21:17Yeah, that looks good.
21:19Got a dental for a guinea pig up next.
21:23After sleeping off his anaesthetic,
21:27he's already looking like a different dog.
21:29What a handsome old boy he is.
21:34Right.
21:34By now, you've probably figured out
21:36I'm not Christmas' biggest fan.
21:39See, how did that make you feel,
21:40giving a present?
21:41You were actually giving me
21:43a little bit of Christmas spirit.
21:44Yay!
21:46It's that hat.
21:47I hate the hat.
21:50I tell you what,
21:50I'm going to be the elf to your Grinch.
21:54And Lisa is sticking true to her word
21:56because today she's sending me
21:58on a seasonal mission with Abigail,
22:00who's part of the Dogs Trust initiative
22:02Together Through Homelessness.
22:03Supporting homeless dog owners
22:05with schemes like free vet care
22:07and at Christmas,
22:08a Christmas doggy parcel service.
22:11Let's go.
22:11Any more?
22:12Is that it?
22:12Can I ask?
22:13Yeah.
22:14Why aren't you carrying any?
22:16Because I'm driving us.
22:17Okay, yeah.
22:19Perfect.
22:20Today, we're taking these gifts
22:21to a centre in Southend
22:23called Harp.
22:24Right, let's do it.
22:25Let's go.
22:26Have you stayed centre
22:28you've been there before?
22:29Yes, I have.
22:30We endorsed Harp in 2023.
22:34They are a really warm
22:36and inviting place for people
22:38to go with their dogs.
22:39The minute I arrive
22:40and meet the dog owners
22:42and the dogs,
22:43it reminds you of just how...
22:45Why you're doing it.
22:45Yeah, like why you're doing it.
22:47Hopefully when you speak
22:48to the dog owners
22:49and you meet the staff at Harp
22:50and you'll see, you know,
22:52that, how it all works together
22:53because it is beautiful.
22:55I just think it's incredible.
22:56So I'm really excited
22:58to be kind of part of your team
22:59for the day.
22:59Yeah, you absolutely are.
23:01You are the boss, the gaffer.
23:03So whatever you need me to do.
23:08There you go.
23:10Amazing.
23:11Lead the way.
23:12Yeah, let's go.
23:14Hello, darling.
23:15How are you?
23:16I'm good, thank you.
23:17I'm Pete.
23:18Nice to meet you.
23:18What are we doing with these?
23:19We'll pop them in the office.
23:20We have a little tour then, yeah?
23:21Yeah.
23:23Fiona and Natalie
23:24show me around the centre,
23:26which supports
23:26over a thousand homeless people
23:28in the area
23:28and their dogs.
23:30This is our communal area.
23:32Yeah.
23:32So this is where people
23:33can get a hot meal
23:34and we have different bits
23:35provided for dogs.
23:36Oh, amazing.
23:39Because you are a centre
23:40that's endorsed by Dogs Trust,
23:42have you noticed a difference
23:43in the fact that you are dog-friendly?
23:44Yeah, I think they create
23:46a space of non-judgment
23:47and love
23:49and affection
23:50and all those
23:51things that
23:53are so valuable
23:54as human beings.
23:55Yeah, 100%.
23:56It's amazing what you guys do.
23:57Honestly.
23:59With more people
24:00on the streets than ever,
24:01but not many shelters
24:02except in dogs,
24:03I want to find out
24:04why places like Harp
24:06are so important.
24:07I'm Grant.
24:08Grant, nice to meet you, man.
24:09Who's this?
24:10This is Chico, mate.
24:11Chico, what a name.
24:12Love that.
24:12Hello, mate.
24:13I'm Pete.
24:14I'm Kevin.
24:15Nice to meet you.
24:15Nice to meet you.
24:15You all right, if I sit down?
24:16Yeah.
24:17This is Lady.
24:18Oh, Lady.
24:18Hello, darling.
24:20Brian.
24:20Hello, Pete.
24:21This is little Richie.
24:23Oh, you're super cute.
24:24Look at you.
24:25Oh, that's what he's talking to.
24:27Yep.
24:28Great.
24:31What's your current situation
24:32then, the two of you?
24:33Can't afford the rent.
24:34It's too expensive for me
24:35at the moment, so...
24:36We're just stuck on the street
24:37for a bit.
24:38Yeah.
24:39It was like a mental health
24:41kind of financial spiral.
24:42OK.
24:43The landlord was like,
24:44I'm evicting you.
24:45Not really got any family
24:46around here.
24:47So we went and lived
24:48on the beach
24:48and that's where we are.
24:50You could be up there one day,
24:52down there the next,
24:53and that happened to me,
24:54so I'm very humbled by that.
24:57Have you been offered
24:58accommodation where
24:59people are happy to take you
25:01but not necessarily take Chico?
25:02Yeah.
25:03Why do you choose
25:04to stay with Chico?
25:06It's more important, mate.
25:08Yeah.
25:08He's my best mate
25:09and he keeps me calm,
25:10so, yeah.
25:10Yeah.
25:10He keeps me out of trouble.
25:11He stops me from
25:12flipping out in, like,
25:13in the head and stuff.
25:15Yeah.
25:15Yeah.
25:15Yeah, I'm not giving her up.
25:17If I didn't have her,
25:19I probably wouldn't be here
25:19much longer.
25:20You know, now
25:21I've got something to live for.
25:23I mean, she obviously
25:24loves you, man.
25:25That's a real powerful,
25:26powerful bond.
25:27Yeah.
25:27There's no way
25:28I'm going to get
25:28to the point
25:29where I can consider,
25:30like, giving him away
25:31or anything
25:32just because I'm homeless.
25:33And I know that's dumb
25:34because everyone
25:35needs a roof over their head,
25:36but...
25:37I don't think that's dumb at all.
25:38I completely understand that.
25:39Thank you so much
25:40for talking to me.
25:41I really appreciate you being
25:42right with me.
25:42Thank you for talking to me.
25:42And sharing the story, man.
25:44It's an absolute pleasure
25:44to meet Chico.
25:45Right, mate.
25:51Oh, no way.
25:52This is going to be
25:53the cutest thing I've ever seen.
25:54I can feel it already.
25:55He loves wearing clothes as well.
25:57He looks so cute.
26:01Coming here today
26:01is such an eye-opening experience.
26:03Oh, nice.
26:04Pretty pink lead.
26:05I mean, we've spoken
26:06to people whose dogs
26:08are their life.
26:09They would rather be homeless
26:14than park with their dog
26:15and being able to come
26:17somewhere that is dog-friendly,
26:19where they can get
26:20something to eat,
26:21you know, a hot drink,
26:23places like Harp.
26:24With this kind of initiative
26:26together through homelessness,
26:28I mean, honestly,
26:30I take my hat off
26:30to everyone that's part of this.
26:32It is just incredible.
26:33The house don't fall
26:35when the bones are good
26:36While I've been away,
26:42there's been an update
26:42on the collie pups
26:43who have just arrived
26:45back at Basildon
26:46looking a whole lot better.
26:48OK.
26:48Ready for a bath?
26:50Hi.
26:51Hi.
26:52Got a little football food for you.
26:54These little guys have come
26:56back from our external practice.
26:58They had some diarrhoea,
27:00vomiting,
27:00they weren't eating
27:02and they were quite lethargic.
27:04Tiny Tim and his littermates
27:06have thankfully tested negatively
27:07for the potentially fatal
27:09parvovirus,
27:10but positive for a disease
27:12called Giardia.
27:13Giardia and parasites
27:14cause diarrhoea.
27:16In puppies,
27:17it can be quite nasty.
27:18They've come back today
27:19because they're doing a lot better.
27:20They're nice and hydrated now.
27:22So it's great news
27:23that the team caught it so early
27:25and now the puppies
27:26are fit and well,
27:27they're ready to find
27:28their forever homes.
27:31Except for poor tiny Tim
27:33who needs further tests
27:34on his eyes
27:35before he can go anywhere.
27:41Good boy.
27:42Coming in.
27:43Grandad Graham, however,
27:45is really going places
27:46as he's taken to his hydrotherapy
27:48like a duck to water.
27:50OK.
27:50Let's go.
27:51Well done.
27:53Good boy.
27:55He's getting in here.
27:57He's picking his legs up
27:58nice and high
27:59and nice and evenly
27:59both sides,
28:00so yeah,
28:01he did really, really well.
28:02With his mobility improving,
28:04he's ready for the next step.
28:06Oh, dear.
28:08But as he's such an old boy,
28:10his number one fan,
28:11Jordan,
28:11has got a special plan for him.
28:13We're going on a road trip today
28:15all the way to Shrewsbury,
28:17so it's going to be a bit of a drive.
28:19Just because I'm a soft touch,
28:20I'm going to go
28:21and get him a little teddy
28:21to take with him.
28:22Graham's off to Oakfield Old Dogs Home,
28:27a very special place
28:28that houses
28:29some of the Dogs Trust's
28:30older residents.
28:33Kennels can be a stressful environment
28:35for some old dogs
28:36and Oakfield gives them
28:38a more cosy
28:39and relaxed space
28:40until they find
28:41their forever homes.
28:43We try and make this feel
28:44as much of a home as possible.
28:46This room was specifically
28:47chosen for Graham
28:48so that it can help him transition
28:50from not experiencing
28:52day-to-day life
28:53but then going into
28:54a home in the future.
28:57Hi, Jordan!
28:59Hi!
29:01He's so cute!
29:04Honestly,
29:05he's such a lovely boy.
29:07It doesn't take him long
29:09to approve of his new pad.
29:12What do you think?
29:15Which means for Jordan,
29:17it's time to say goodbye.
29:20You're a good boy.
29:20You're a good boy.
29:25It's one of those
29:26happy, sad feelings.
29:28We all love him so much
29:29but at the same time,
29:30I mean,
29:31this is absolutely amazing.
29:33Yeah!
29:34Come on, then!
29:35Just knowing
29:36how bad his life was before,
29:39you know,
29:39that's what you want
29:40for your dogs.
29:40You want your dogs
29:41to just be happy
29:43and just feel safe
29:44and he's got that chance now.
29:47Oh, he deserves this so much.
29:50You're going to be very happy.
29:53You are.
29:55I told you it was a nice road trip.
29:58He deserves...
29:59Yeah.
30:00You know,
30:01he deserves someone
30:02that loves him.
30:03I mean,
30:04you already love him already,
30:05so, you know...
30:06It's just...
30:07We'll take good care of him for you.
30:09Yeah.
30:09He'll be a good boy.
30:12Okay.
30:13Thank God.
30:18Can't come with me.
30:20Gravia!
30:21Bye, buddy.
30:22Gravia!
30:23Gravia!
30:23Gravia!
30:28You're a good boy.
30:29It hasn't been a smooth ride
30:36for the smallest members
30:37of the Collie Group,
30:39but today,
30:39there's some fantastic news.
30:41You got all my love...
30:44Theodore's going home
30:45with the Fraser family.
30:46Whether it rains or...
30:48And my little gangster,
30:50Tommy Blue Eyes,
30:51has been adopted
30:54by Lauren from Essex.
30:55You got all my love...
30:57You got all my love...
30:59Tammy's forever home
31:01is with the Beaconsdale family.
31:05And as for little Tinkerbell,
31:07who's not so little anymore...
31:09She looks incredible.
31:10Yeah, she's doing really well.
31:13She's been on foster care
31:14with Naomi.
31:15We'd like to keep her.
31:17Are you keeping her?
31:17Yeah.
31:21Bye, darling.
31:22All right, then.
31:22Shall we go, Tinkerbell?
31:24What a beautiful ending
31:26to a terrible start.
31:28All of those Collies
31:29came from the most horrendous conditions
31:31and actually now starting
31:33to see them all go home
31:34and find their kind of forever people.
31:36Makes me feel all like...
31:38I don't know...
31:39Happy.
31:44Lisa.
31:46After you, madam.
31:50But there's one Collie
31:51still without a home.
31:53Tiny Tim.
31:54I know.
31:57Just going to have a look
31:57at your eyes.
31:59Hi.
32:00Lisa and I
32:01are taking him
32:01to see ophthalmologist Stefan
32:03to see if there's
32:04any hope for his vision.
32:07Oh, are you ready for us?
32:09Oh, hello.
32:09Hello.
32:11Assessing vision
32:11in a dock
32:12is actually very difficult
32:13because they don't speak.
32:15You need to wake up.
32:17Excuse me.
32:18I mean, he was very awake
32:19in the car.
32:19Very awake in the car.
32:20Can we switch off the lights?
32:22Oh, he's definitely
32:23going to have a kip now.
32:24I might have a kip as well.
32:25Yes.
32:26What immediately
32:27I will say
32:28is definitely,
32:30especially on the right eye,
32:31the cornea,
32:32it's significantly smaller
32:34of what's supposed to be.
32:36Okay.
32:36Okay?
32:37But when you shine
32:39the strong lights,
32:41the good news
32:42is that we have
32:42actually some blinking
32:43here on the right eye.
32:45Okay.
32:45Let's see on your left eye.
32:47That is...
32:49Yeah, also...
32:49She's blinking there as well.
32:50It's...
32:51It's...
32:52Okay.
32:56Where are we at?
32:57So, the shape
32:59and size of the cornea,
33:01it's not correct.
33:02The left eye,
33:03it's worse.
33:04So it's so underdeveloped,
33:05that eye that...
33:06It's underdeveloped.
33:07So would you say
33:07that that one
33:08is completely blind?
33:10And...
33:11So, in your case,
33:13little Timmy
33:14looks and sounds
33:17functionally blind,
33:18but he's not
33:19completely blind.
33:20Okay.
33:20So there is some sight.
33:21There is some vision
33:22you felt
33:24when I flashed
33:25with the lights.
33:26The jumping.
33:26He pinched.
33:27Because there is
33:29some information
33:30going to the retina.
33:31So there's still
33:31something even in...
33:33Something there.
33:33...in that eye.
33:35Yay.
33:38Thank you so much.
33:39I think it was actually
33:42quite positive,
33:43wasn't it?
33:43Stefan saying
33:44that there is
33:45something there.
33:46We don't know
33:47what it is
33:47that he can see exactly.
33:49That's really good.
33:49If you look at the positives,
33:51quality of life
33:52shouldn't be affected.
33:53He doesn't know
33:53any different.
33:54Yeah.
33:54But I think
33:55more importantly than anything,
33:56the other four
33:57have all gone home.
33:58Now it's time for Tim.
34:00I know there's
34:01the perfect family
34:02out there,
34:03but until they're found,
34:04I'm heading up
34:05to check in
34:06on an old mate of mine.
34:09Grandad Graeme's
34:09been settling in well
34:10at the old dog's home
34:11in Shrewsbury.
34:12Graeme!
34:14Buddy!
34:15How are you, man?
34:16You okay?
34:17Oh, my God.
34:18It's so good to see you.
34:19You look great, buddy.
34:21So how's he been getting on
34:22since he's been here?
34:23Yeah, he's been doing so well.
34:25Because it could be
34:25quite overwhelming
34:26coming from the position
34:27that he's been in
34:28to going straight into a home.
34:29So this is a really good
34:30opportunity for him
34:31to kind of suss things out.
34:32Exactly, yeah.
34:32Be used to sofas
34:33and washing machines
34:34and all that sort of stuff.
34:35All the sights and sounds
34:36and, yeah.
34:36Obviously, he's never really
34:37lived in a home
34:38like this before.
34:39Yeah.
34:39We just wanted to give him
34:40that opportunity
34:41before sending him off
34:43to his forever home.
34:44And he's done so well.
34:45He really has.
34:46He's an angel.
34:48And I am so happy to say...
34:50Let's go!
34:53He's already found
34:54that forever home.
34:55Valerie.
34:56Yeah?
34:57I hear that you
34:58are taking Graham home.
34:59I am, yes.
35:00I'm so excited.
35:01So am I.
35:02I'm so excited, honestly.
35:04He's such an amazing dog.
35:05He's lovely.
35:06I just thought,
35:07well, I'm getting on a bit.
35:08Maybe an older dog.
35:08You're not in day of a 21, Valerie.
35:10Oh, no.
35:10Don't be silly.
35:11But I just thought, you know,
35:13an older dog
35:13would be perfect, really.
35:16What is life going to look like
35:17for you and Graham now?
35:18Well, I think it's going to look
35:19good for both of us.
35:20He's going to help me
35:21get my steps in.
35:22Yeah.
35:22So that'll be a good start.
35:24And he'll be company
35:25for me at home now
35:26because I live on my own now.
35:27So it'll be nice
35:29to have this waggy little tail
35:30waiting for me to come in.
35:33You seem like such a lovely person.
35:35I'm so happy
35:35that he's going to go somewhere.
35:37Amazing.
35:37I mean that as well.
35:38You're going to be
35:39very, very happy together.
35:40I think we will be.
35:41Valerie, thank you so much.
35:45We're going home.
35:47Stories like Graham's
35:48are exactly what this is all about.
35:52It's magical.
35:53Makes me a little bit emotional.
35:56Oh, go on then.
35:59Maybe this time of year
36:00is starting to win me over.
36:02Which is lucky
36:02considering what I've been
36:04tasked with doing next.
36:05Chop it up for me
36:06in small bits.
36:08All the vegetables are steamed.
36:09Obviously, there's no seasoning,
36:10no salt in there.
36:12God, I didn't really.
36:13You're like Gordon Ramsay.
36:15Otherwise, this is hell's kitchen.
36:16We're on a tight schedule.
36:18I'm in Leeds
36:20helping out my friend Emma
36:21with an important culinary task.
36:23So this isn't your first
36:24Christmas dinner for dogs then?
36:26This isn't, no.
36:2615 years I've worked on a Christmas day.
36:28You do a Christmas dinner
36:29for all the dogs?
36:30Yeah, for 70 dogs
36:31on a Christmas day.
36:32That's a lot of sprouts.
36:34It is a lot of sprouts.
36:36The lucky recipients
36:37of those sprouts
36:38are some very special guests
36:40who Emma hasn't seen
36:41since series one.
36:43He's hungry.
36:46She hand-reared the potato pups
36:48when they were abandoned
36:48without their mum.
36:50I don't think they'd have
36:51lasted much longer
36:52if they were out there
36:53on their own.
36:54The puppies faced
36:55a slim chance of survival
36:56and tragically,
36:58two of them passed away.
36:59She went very lifeless.
37:01It is difficult
37:02and it's really emotional
37:03and I won't lie,
37:05I did find it hard
37:06to lose two.
37:07But Emma did not give up
37:09and against all odds,
37:10the remaining litter
37:11found forever homes.
37:13You've done an amazing job.
37:15Honestly, gourmet Christmas dinner.
37:17Can I have Christmas dinner
37:18without gravy?
37:19No, you can't.
37:20Yeah, there you go.
37:21I've gone all out.
37:22You really have gone all out.
37:23This is going to be
37:24a really special little day,
37:25isn't it?
37:25Yeah.
37:25It might make me like Christmas
37:27just a little bit.
37:28Only time will tell
37:30on that one
37:30as our very important pets
37:33are arriving.
37:35Hello.
37:36Hello, how are you?
37:37Ronnie.
37:37Hello.
37:38I know exactly who you are.
37:46This is Melody, no?
37:47This is Melody.
37:48Yeah.
37:49How are you?
37:49I'm good.
37:50Yeah, lovely to meet you.
37:52Hello.
37:53How are you?
37:54I've been forced to wear this.
37:56Please join the party.
37:59Hello, mate.
38:00How are you?
38:01Are you good?
38:02How are you?
38:03Are you good?
38:03You've got Christmas dinner,
38:06stockings, presents,
38:07the last.
38:07Oh, here it is.
38:09Merry Christmas.
38:11Thank you, God.
38:13You're having fun.
38:14You've got some food
38:15for you, mate.
38:16Look to the future now.
38:19Have any of your dogs had sprouts before?
38:26You're going to love it tonight.
38:28You're going to love it.
38:28When I first met the puppies,
38:31we didn't know what sort of breed they were
38:32when they first came in
38:33and to be honest with you,
38:34I haven't seen them now,
38:35I've still got no idea.
38:36Thank you for telling me.
38:37It's 51% French Bulldog,
38:4037% Toy Poodle,
38:43Schnauzer,
38:44and a B-sharp.
38:45And a B-sharp.
38:46And a B-sharp.
38:46Yeah.
38:47It's his underbite.
38:48He's got the...
38:49And he's got this...
38:50How does it go?
38:52You won't give me to that.
38:53No, no.
38:55How does it make you feel
38:56like seeing them like this now?
38:58It's amazing.
38:59I get quite emotional.
39:01All the hard work is worth it,
39:03seeing you guys all here
39:04and them like a year later
39:06and being so happy and wonderful.
39:08It's really nice
39:09and it's a lovely Christmas present for me,
39:11is this.
39:11Really nice.
39:13Speaking of which...
39:15That's for you guys.
39:17And then we've got one
39:18from you guys.
39:20And then we've got...
39:21This is for you.
39:26Is that nice?
39:29It's a potato.
39:30It's a potato.
39:32I know, it's a pancake of crisps.
39:34Do you like it?
39:37Yeah, that is supposed to be
39:38for Melody, mate.
39:39You know what I mean?
39:43Lovely, that.
39:44She's very cute.
39:45Are you going to cry?
39:47Oh, you're welcome.
39:50Who's this?
39:52You.
39:53The pictures.
39:54That's a there.
39:55Yeah, baby pictures.
39:57Yeah, baby pictures.
40:00Wow.
40:01I think this Grinch
40:02is finally starting to see it.
40:03Faithful friends
40:05who are dear to us
40:08gather near to us
40:12once more.
40:15Pete, there's one for you.
40:16I mean, you can't have a Christmas
40:25without a pair of socks, can you?
40:27Hey, look at that.
40:29Bright yellow socks as well,
40:31my favourite.
40:32Oh, happy Christmas, everyone.
40:35Christmas.
40:36Happy Christmas.
40:37Yay!
40:38No.
40:47But hold on,
40:49because I'm not finished yet.
40:52I've been inspired
40:53to arrange
40:54a reunion of my own.
40:55Louis!
41:01Just the man I need.
41:03What are you doing here?
41:03How are you, mate?
41:04I'm good.
41:05Mate, it's a little surprise.
41:07Okay.
41:08You coming with me?
41:09Right now?
41:09Yes, right now.
41:10You're going to enjoy this.
41:12Are you sure?
41:13Yeah.
41:13What's going on?
41:17I met handler Louis
41:19when I visited
41:19the centre in Kenilworth
41:20earlier this year.
41:22It's nice, isn't it?
41:23Very nice.
41:24Nice and peaceful.
41:26He was caring for Theo,
41:28who with a life-limiting
41:30heart condition
41:30earned a very special place
41:32in both of our hearts.
41:33Three musketeers.
41:35Yeah!
41:36Yeah!
41:38That's my guy.
41:39That's my guy.
41:40He's a good boy.
41:41Put your hands over your eyes.
41:43Okay.
41:43No peeking.
41:44Okay.
41:48Theo found a home
41:49after an epic search.
41:52And Louis
41:53hasn't seen him since.
41:56You can open your eyes, mate.
41:59Oh, my God!
42:02Hello!
42:04Hello, God!
42:05How amazing does he look?
42:06Oh, look at him!
42:08Hello!
42:09Oh, he's looking unbelievable.
42:15Like, he looks incredible, doesn't he?
42:16Do you remember me?
42:18Yeah.
42:18I definitely remember him.
42:20How could he forget?
42:21Do you remember me?
42:22Hello, buddy.
42:23Oh, we're going for a lot.
42:24Yep, yep.
42:25He's not changed one bit, has he?
42:26Not one bit.
42:27Yeah, no, this is lovely.
42:29Oh, I've missed him so much.
42:31To see him in this situation
42:35is just more that I could have imagined.
42:38I'm so pleased that Louis has got a chance to see him again.
42:43It's just really, really beautiful.
42:44Right, it's Christmas.
42:48Oh, my goodness!
42:50So, we had to bring Theo a destruction box.
42:52What's this?
42:53Look at this, buddy.
42:55And this whole Christmas period has just been so special.
43:00Oh, look at that.
43:01Hey!
43:03Come on, mate.
43:04We're not messing about.
43:08To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever see him again.
43:10I just can't thank you enough.
43:12You're mad.
43:12Being at Dog's Trust and, you know, with Emma
43:18and having the Potato Pups reunion
43:19and seeing all of them again with their new family,
43:22you know, harp, that even something as small
43:25as like a little package or donation,
43:27it makes such a big difference
43:28for people who don't necessarily have homes
43:31but love their dogs.
43:32They love their dogs.
43:33Ah, thank you so much, man.
43:35It melts my tiny heart.
43:37It genuinely does.
43:38This is what Christmas is about.
43:44This is exactly what it's about.
43:45It's about love.
43:47It's about second chances.
43:48And it's more importantly about family.
43:54Like the family our very own Tiny Tim will be a part of,
43:58his new brother Moose, who's also blind,
44:01is going to lead the way to his new home.
44:04Coming in.
44:04With Lauren from the Dogs Trust.
44:07And that's what every single dog deserves.
44:10The family.
44:11And I am so blessed to, in some way,
44:12have been part of lots of different people's families.
44:16Um...
44:16I just love it.
44:19I just love it.
44:49I just love it.
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