Thanks to gifts in Wills, Maggie found love by the sea

When Maggie, a young lurcher, was found stray on the streets of Ireland, her future looked uncertain. With untreated fractures in her foot and a life of loneliness, fear, and pain ahead of her, Maggie desperately needed help. Thanks to the generosity of people who leave gifts to Dogs Trust in their Wills, her story took a very different turn.

Maggie arrived at Dogs Trust after a brief stay with another organisation. She had clearly suffered for some time. She had been walking on her injured foot, which had caused lasting damage, and she needed urgent surgery. The team at Dogs Trust arranged for the procedure, fitted an external frame to her leg, and supported her through 12 long weeks of crate rest—a difficult challenge for a young dog who wasn’t crate trained.

The road to recovery wasn’t easy. Maggie developed complications after surgery, which meant frequent vet visits. But she was never alone. The Dogs Trust team supported her every step of the way — bringing her favourite pillow on trips, providing behaviour training to keep her calm around other dogs, and covering all the costs of her surgery, treatment, and follow-up care.

With this care Maggie’s confidence grew, and her lively, affectionate personality began to shine through. She quickly became a favourite with visitors to the rehoming centre, and, in just two weeks, she found her forever home.

Today, Maggie is 13 years old and living happily by the sea with her new family, including a greyhound brother she enjoys keeping in line! Despite her tough start in life, Maggie now has everything she could ever need: love, comfort, plenty of walks, and as many treats as she likes.

For many lurchers like Maggie, life on the streets can be incredibly tough. They are often abandoned and unclaimed, facing painful and uncertain futures. But thanks to the kindness of people who choose to remember Dogs Trust in their Wills, dogs like Maggie are given the chance to live full and happy lives.

At Dogs Trust, 40% of its vital work is funded directly through gifts in Wills. By leaving a gift in your Will to Dogs Trust you can create a lasting legacy of love and hope—helping to care for and rehome thousands of dogs every year and ensuring they all have the second chance they deserve.