A DEVOTED dog owner from Newbury is supporting a charity initiative to encourage people to 'adopt not shop' when welcoming a dog into their life.

Dogs Trust has launched a series of mini-films celebrating rescue dogs, using the hashtag #MyDogIsForLife.

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Over the course of a year, new owners who have chosen to give a rescue dog a second chance were asked to catch their favourite moments on camera to show the lifelong bond they now share – with joyful results.

One of the stars is three-year-old lurcher, Ginny, a former stray who was adopted from Dogs Trust Newbury by Richard Littledale after his wife died and he found himself alone after 30 years of marriage.

Richard said: "When Fiona died, I plunged into a grief I had never known.

"When I found Ginny at Dogs Trust, in a way it felt like we were both on a journey together.

"I was helping her to trust me and enjoy new experiences and she was helping me to embrace life again.

"It's been a wonderful hobby to take photos of all the simple ways we spend time together through the seasons.

"I think in many ways she has rescued me!"

Antony Domini, Dogs Trust Newbury manager, said: "We want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has adopted a Dogs Trust dog, and as we approach the busy summer months we also want to encourage people who would like a dog to be part of their family, to do lots of research in advance.

"That will help give owners the best chance of being able to share many happy years together with their four-legged friend.

"Our dogs will always be part of the Dogs Trust family, so it's wonderful to see them in their forever homes, living the lives they deserve to live, with owners who adore them.

"We always do our best to make sure families find a dog that will suit their daily lives, so if you have a Ginny shaped hole in your life we hope you choose to give a rescue dog a second chance at happiness."

Dogs Trust Newbury is encouraging dog lovers and owners to use the hashtag #MyDogIsFor Life to share their rescue dog stories, tagging @dogstrust.

To find out more about all of the dogs waiting for their forever homes, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.