Meet the stars
Tinker is just one of many dogs who've found their perfect match at Woodgreen. Why not get to know some of the other pooches who've found a fresh start during filming of The Dog House.
Get to know more pups
Meet Tinker
After she was attacked by other dogs in her home, Tinker’s owners brought her to Woodgreen – but it would take a lot of love and care before we could get her back on her paws.
Tinker’s arrival at Woodgreen was the most heartbreaking intake dog carer Georgia had ever done.
Mastiff breeds like Tinker form strong bonds with their humans, so when her owner handed her over to us Tinker froze on the spot and wouldn’t move for three hours.
Whilst it was sad for Tinker’s owner to say goodbye, they had her best interests at heart. She needed a calm environment where she could feel safe, secure and happy.
That safety and security started with Georgia who waited patiently by Tinker’s side until she was ready to move.
The attacks Tinker had suffered made her a high priority case – and she needed urgent treatment.
She had infected wounds which must have been causing a lot of discomfort. Our vets cleaned her wounds and she was given medication to help the healing process.
But, while Tinker had started physically healing, she was struggling with her new surroundings and was quite shy.
Getting Tinker's spark back
Her carer, Georgia, took things slowly and focused on quiet walks and introductions to other team members. She spared no effort in helping vulnerable Tinker adjust to life on site and build her confidence.
Tinker was getting braver each day and before long, she was ready for time in a real home with one of our fosterers. This did her the world of good and she revealed a love for learning new tricks!
Our next challenge was finding a home that met Tinker’s needs. As a large dog, she needed a home that was ‘big-dog friendly’ with a human who had the patience to help this shy dog settle into a new life.
Tinker’s perfect match came along during filming for The Dog House in the form of Lesley and Kev, who were looking for a four-legged friend to make their home complete.
A match made in heaven
At first, the pair had different ideas about what sort of dog they wanted. Lesley was looking for a small pooch, while Kev, a former police dog handler, had a soft spot for larger dogs and had owned lots of them before.
They compromised on a ‘medium’ dog, but gentle giant Tinker managed to win round Lesley. And, after giving the decision a lot of thought, they decided to make it official and give her a home!
Tinker is amazing and loved by everyone who meets her. She eats well, plays well, loves to have a mad roll about and absolutely loves bear hug cuddles. She has settled in perfectly and was destined to live with us. We adore her.
More from Woodgreen...
Meet the team
Fresh starts wouldn't be possible without the expert knowledge and time of our dedicated dog care team. Meet the people who support dogs on their road to a second chance at happiness.
Meet the handlers