Couple finds out they adopted grandson of their old dog

Doreen and Stewart Hawthorne, from Coventry, decided to adopt another ex-racing Greyhound after their previous rescue, 13-year-old Mavis, passed away. What they didn’t know is that they were about to meet her grandson!

Upon returning to the rescue centre they had adopted Mavis from, Dogs Trust Kenilworth, they soon spotted an oddly familiar face: five-year-old Rici bore a “striking resemblance” to their old dog. And it was no coincidence, as Rici turned out to be Mavis’ grandson!

Doreen said, “It was like looking at Mavis. It was a few days after he’d come home with us that we  decided to look into his background and discovered the family link. It was incredible, particularly as before arriving at Dogs Trust Kenilworth Mavis was at risk of being put to sleep.”

“When we adopted Mavis we found out that she had had several litters of puppies and when her racing days were over, she had been taken to a vet to be put to sleep. Luckily, the vet asked Dogs Trust Kenilworth to take her in and we were fortunate  enough to adopt her. Here we are several years later with her grandson. It’s  wonderful.”  

 Although Rici is almost identical to Mavis in looks, Doreen said, when it comes to personality they are very different. 

“Mavis was very calm from the moment she came home, but Rici is a  little anxious. We don’t think he’s lived in a home before so everything was new to  him.”

“But now, he’s really settling in and his personality is starting to shine through. He is enjoying his walks and he loves to run around the garden with his favourite squeaky toys.

“We missed Mavis terribly, but we are over the moon to have a second member  of her family with us.”

Images by Dogs Trust.