Dog finds new home following death of owner

Published by Craig Downs for Frank Haslam Milan in Housing and also in Communities

A dog which was left homeless after her elderly owner died has found a new lease of life after being taken in by a local family.

Maria Carnaby first met 12-year-old terrier Amber several months ago when the company she works for carried out repairs to the dog owner’s home.

After hearing that the lady had passed away, Maria visited a neighbour and discovered that both Amber and a cat also owned by the woman were in need of new homes.

Maria (40), of Bedlington, said: “The lady who died had no family nearby who could look after the dog or cat. A neighbour had taken Amber in but couldn’t look after her long term.

“I knew what a lovely dog she was from my visits so I called my partner and he agreed that we could take her in.

“She has fitted into our family so well, the kids love her and it’s as if she has always been here.”

Maria works as a Resident Liaison Officer for community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East.

She first met Amber’s owner when FHM upgraded the heating system in her home, in Pegswood, Northumberland, on behalf of Isos Housing (formally Castle Morpeth Housing).

A few months later, Maria was working nearby when she found out the lady had died.

She said: “Whenever FHM carry out work we make sure we conduct regular meetings with residents so they are aware of what we are doing.

“Because this lady was elderly and in poor health I made sure I visited regularly before we started the work and while it was going on.”

Maria said that initially Amber was very withdrawn following her owner’s death.

She said: “When I first met Amber while carrying out the home visits she was a very vocal dog.

“But after her owner passed away she was very quiet. It has taken a few weeks but she is now back to her old, happy self.”

It is believed that Amber is a cross between a Lakeland Terrier and a Bedlington Terrier and had been a rescue dog before being taken in by her owner 10 years ago.

The cat, which was also left homeless, has also found a new home after being taken in by a neighbour.

FHM Community Liaison Manager Andrea Scollen, said: “At FHM, we pride ourselves on our relationships with those people living in the areas in which we work.

“Our Resident Liaison Officers play a pivotal role in building and developing those relationships and this is a great example of how they often go the extra-mile in the process.”