The phrase 'a dog is for life and not just for Christmas' is a universal truth. No story makes that more starkly clear than that of Ronnie, the adorable puppy who became the first dog of 2018 to be dumped at a UK rescue home.
The adorable eight-week-old mongrel was left at Battersea Dogs and Cats home in south London, England this past Tuesday after his owner lost their home and couldn't look after him.
Ronnie, who was bought online as a Christmas present, was left homeless, and became the first pet to be dropped off at the rescue home so far this year.
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The puppy is currently undergoing standard medical checks and could be ready to be rehoused as soon as next week. Let's hope so.
"Ronnie has only been at home with me for one night but he is settling in so well," said Battersea staff member Alice Holt, with whom Ronnie has been staying, to MailOnline.
"He's so affectionate, even with new people, and loves a cuddle and a fuss. He also loves playing with toys and running around the kitchen. He's such a sweet boy."
The home's intake manager Steven Craddock was unsurprised that the first dog to be left there this year was bought online.
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Craddock slammed the decision to sell the eight-week-old pup, saying the home believes Ronnie was taken from his mother far too young.
He added that the ease of selling dogs online - and how disposable it can make them seem - is 'one of the biggest challenges that Battersea faces today'.
"It doesn't shock any of us that the first dog through our doors in 2018 was bought online," Steven said.
"Ronnie is just one of many thousands of dogs who will be bought off an unregulated website in the coming months and end up in a home where the owner is unprepared and unable to take proper care of them.
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"His new owner did the right thing by bringing him to us where we can look after him and find him a loving new home, which we doubt will take long as he's such a lovely boy.
"However, this doesn't change the fact that he never should have been sold online in the first place.
"We believe he may have been taken from his mother far too young and likely sold by a breeder with absolutely no regard for his welfare."
Battersea recently launched a fundraising campaign called In From The Cold, geared towards helping stray pets this winter.
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The home says that over 20,000 pets in the UK will be dumped this winter, with Battersea looking after 550 dogs at any given time.
Craddock urged anyone thinking of buying a new pet to consider visiting a rescue home rather than 'shopping' for one online.
Ronnie is now being assessed at Battersea and will be vaccinated and microchipped before he is rehoused. Hopefully 2018 will perk up for him quickly.
Featured Image Credit: Battersea Dogs and Cats HomeTopics: UK News, News, Feels, Animals