A dog who stopped wagging his tail because he did not enjoy life in kennels has found a loving home.

Staffie Gizmo was so sad and shut down when he arrived at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, it took staff a week before they could encourage him to leave his bed.

The six-year-old dog was scared of many things, including the dark, traffic noise and rain, so Sarah Parkinson, rehoming and welfare assistant, fostered him so he did not have to spend the night in kennels.

But each morning, Gizmo would cry when he was brought back to the kennels.

After six months in kennels, Gizmo found his forever home with Ian and Jan Bevis from Suffolk.

Wandsworth Times:

Ian and Jan Bevis with Gizmo

Mr Bevis said: "Gizmo isn’t afraid of anything anymore. He’s completely come out of his shell and is loving long walks on the beach followed by evenings cuddled up on the sofa.

"He’s the cuddliest, most affectionate staffie you could hope to meet."

  • Cats belonging to the nation's politicians are competing in Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s hotly contested Purr Minister 2015 contest to find Westminster’s top cat of the year.

Cat lovers across the UK have from 9am on Thursday, January 15, to noon on Monday, January 26, to vote for their favourite Westminster feline, from a shortlist of cats owned by MPs and Lords.

Details on how to vote can be found at battersea.org.uk.