Dogs Trust Leeds highlights local artist's portrait of Cane Corso cross after Kaye waits years for a home
Everyone who meets Kaye falls in love with him, says Kelly Walker, the manager of Dogs Trust Leeds Rehoming Centre. But the three-year-old Cane Corso cross is one of the charity’s longest-waiting residents after spending more than two-and-a-half years without a family to call his own.
Now they are hopeful that attention generated by a portrait of the Kaye will help him find the family he is craving.
Yorkshire-based portrait artist Rachel Inhester was inspired to paint Kaye after seeing his story. After sharing the finished artwork in a reel on social media, Rachel was invited to Dogs Trust to meet Kaye in person for the very first time.
Despite capturing hearts with both his portrait and his gentle personality, Kaye is still waiting for a home since arriving at the Trust in January 2024.
Kaye was just eight months old when he was handed in after his owners were no longer able to care for him due to ill health. Having lived a very sheltered life, he found the outside world overwhelming and was extremely nervous when he first arrived.
Over the past two and a half years, Kaye's dedicated carers have worked patiently to build his confidence. While he remains cautious around unfamiliar people and places, those who know him best have seen him blossom into an affectionate, playful and deeply loyal companion, says the Trust.
His circle of trusted friends has grown enormously during his time at Dogs Trust's Leeds Rehoming Centre, adored by his handlers and enjoying spending time with many of the other social dogs. Despite all his wonderful qualities, Kaye has received very little interest from potential adopters.
Kelly Walker, Centre Manager of Dogs Trust Leeds Rehoming Centre, said: "Kaye has become a much-loved member of our centre, and everyone who spends time with him falls in love with his playful, affectionate nature. He's come such a long way since arriving with us as a frightened young dog, and we're incredibly proud of the progress he's made.
"Rachel's beautiful portrait captures everything we love about Kaye, and we're so grateful she's helping tell his story. We hope it encourages people to look beyond first impressions and see the wonderful dog waiting underneath.
"Kaye doesn't need a perfect home, he just needs the right one. He's looking for patient adopters who can offer him a quiet, predictable environment where he can continue to build his confidence at his own pace. We know that family is out there somewhere, and we'd love nothing more than to see Kaye finally head home."
Anyone interested in offering Kaye the “calm, understanding home he deserves” can find out more by visiting his Dogs Trust adoption profile or contacting Dogs Trust Leeds Rehoming Centre.