Christopher was found dying after a car hit him. He had, among other things, a fractured jaw. He was taken to a public pound and he was operated on but in such a way that he wasn’t even able to eat anymore… He would spend all day, every day in a corner of his cell in a pound near Naples. He was also found to be positive to leishmaniasis. One of our wonderful rescuers learnt about him and didn’t think twice, she asked the pound to release him and took him to her rescue centre.

Christopher underwent a new surgery during which an awful metallic brace that was originally put in his mouth, was removed. Slowly he started to eat again. He was also treated for leishmaniasis, started to punt on weight and his health improved. However, Christopher was one of those dogs that too often and for too long remain invisible. Too many health issues. We needed what we call in Italian “un’adozione del cuore” (an adoption from the heart).

It took many months but then that “adoption from the heart” arrived. We received that message we hope to receive every time there is a dog waiting to be rehomed: “I want him!”

This is what his adopter wrote a month after his arrival: “Ned, (was Christopher) arrived from Italy in early December. When he arrived he could only potter about and couldn’t do steps at all. We think he’s around 10, so an old lad but he has already lost weight and can run around in his own unique style. He is managing to eat really well despite having had a fracture jaw in the past. He is a very stubborn, lovable chap, full of character. Please consider adopting the older dogs, it is so rewarding and so wonderful to see them flourish after such tough lives. I should also say that in addition to the wonky jaw and wobbly legs he is also completely deaf, but it causes no problems at all.”

Christopher was rescued by SOS Italian Setters in 2022. He is enjoying his life and doing very well in Yorkshire since December 2022.