A RAYLEIGH family have two furry new additions thanks to a TV show which paired them with their perfectly pawsome dogs.
Mel Atkins, Pete Wilson and their son Jacob, appeared on Channel 4’s The Dog House, which aired last Thursday.
They worked with Woodgreen Pets Charity Rehoming Centre in Cambridgeshire, to help Jacob, 12, overcome his fear of dogs.
“We set out to get one dog and have ended up with have two,” laughed Mel.
“Max and Millie are brother and sister and turn four on Sunday. They are Jugs - a crossbreed of Jack Russell and pug - and we absolutely love them.
“They are very intelligent and affectionate, they are wonderful family dogs.”
The family went on the show to find a dog that Jacob would feel safe around.
“Jacob has had a fear of dogs since he was around two. We were walking in Billericay once and a huge dog ran up and flattened him. Then a friend’s big dog went for him unprovoked, and it developed into a fear,” explained Mel, 53.
“We wanted to get a dog and show him the value caring for animals. I said ‘No’ for ages but then saw what Woodgreen does, pairing the people with dogs, and thoughtit was amazing.”
The TV show documented the family’s experience of meeting some potential dogs to re-home.
“The team initially showed us a beagle that had had ahorrible a life, poor thing, but it was not interested in interacting us and Jacob completely shut off. The camera crew were packing and then the Woodgreen team at came out and said there is one more pairing, but it was two dogs and did we want to meet them?” said Mel.
“We hadn’t intended to have two dogs but when they came out Jacob lit up. I have never seen anything like it, he let Max lick him all over his face! They have a tight bond and when he comes home from school the first thing he does is sayhello toMax who is beyond excited to see him.”
She added: “They love to walk in Belfairs Wood, Thundersley common, Rayleigh Weir and King George’s Park near where we live.They couldn’t be happier, and neither could we.”
The next episode of The Dog House airs onThursday, January 19, at 8pm. See www.channel4.com.
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