Meet Our Wag Advisors

Our WAG Advisors know all about how tough street and shelter life is and they’re ready to share their inspirational rags to riches stories to help the friends they left behind.

Do check out their Good Wag Guide with reviews of animal friendly destinations and how you can get involved to transform the life of the strays.

We can’t change their past but together we can re-write their future.

Betty

Roger

When clever little Roger was dumped back in 2018 his street friends advised him to head for Lemnos airport because there worked a lovely rescue lady, called Fotini, and she would find him another home.

Little did Roger know this would involve living in hell until the right family came along. Fortunately it didn’t take long and Roger now lives his best life helping children as he’s passed training as a therapy dog for one of our favourite charities: Underdog International.

Roger is another Pawrespondant at WAG ADVISOR and co-writing a novel with Betty about how dogs and children got together to save the planet from extinction.

Saxo

Saxo lived his first life as a scruffy, taverna boy never sure where the next scraps of food would come from. Infested with fleas and tics he would dip into the sea to try and soothe his skin. Then one day a miracle happened and a very kind tourist lady, called June, offered him a home.

Our adorable Fotini cared for him whilst Starlight Barking arranged his travel and Saxo now lives his new life with two other rescue dogs and is an Ambassador for rescue dogs everywhere as he visits pet stores with his dad, Mick, picking up food donations which his new mum dispatches with other “wish list” items to shelters all over Greece.

Saxo is the brains behind the WAG ADVISOR – Good Taverna Guide and welcomes reviews of dog friendly tavernas. If you know of one (Saxo isn’t convinced there will be many) please message his PA: wendy@starlightbarking.co.uk

You can read Saxo’s full sad story here. https://www.starlightbarking.co.uk/rescuing-saxo-the-taverna-boy/

Santos

Santos, previously known as Spyros, was dumped at Lemnos airport as a puppy, but evaded capture for a whole year. Terrified he then spent a year at the shelter and became shy and withdrawn. Fotini asked if we could help bring him out of his shell by fostering.

When Spyros first arrived in the UK it was like all the life had been sucked out of him. He walked slowly and sombrely and wasn’t interested in any of the scents of other Lemnos dogs which had passed this way before.

We arranged a vet visit to check there was nothing obviously making him so unhappy and were amazed when our vet announced that Spyros was going to become a lovely bouncy boy! Which to our surprise he did just a few days later, wagging his tail and joining in with family life.

Santos is now living the dream life with a mum and dad who adore him and have helped his transformation become complete.

In his own words, you can read about his journey to his new life here:

Santos has discovered a hidden talent for writing and will be joining the other Pawrespondants with reviews of animal friendly destinations on WAG ADVISOR and also giving advice to new mums and dads about how to welcome their new rescue dog.

Heidi

Gorgeous Heidi landed on her paws when she was offered a home in Scotland after her Facebook photo appeared helping the volunteers down on the beach in Lesvos.

On the day of her departure to the UK the volunteers realised her growing waist line had nothing to do with their feeding and 3 days later Heidi gave birth.

Sadly only one puppy survived and little Daisy is now living in Sweden.

Heidi literally swapped rags to riches and is sometimes allowed to share her dad’s working life at a very famous palace.

Heidi’s message for all other street dogs is to keep wagging that tail because you will never know when that special person will come into your life and you need to wow them from day one!

Heidi’s mum has worked in travel all her life and has offered to help Heidi become a top Pawrespondant on WAG ADVISOR and discover the best animal friendly destinations.

Hollie

Hollie knew when she was rescued that she had a special mission to help rescue someone else which she did with flying colours. Hollie’s story is what rescue is all about and you can read it in her own words here. https://www.starlightbarking.co.uk/rescue-a-shelter-dog-and-make-a-difference/

With Hollie’s connections to Greece, Turkey and Scotland she has offered to become a Travel Pawrespondant on WAG ADVISOR and will be also pawing a few articles on why rescue is best.

Benny and Bruno

These two came as a pair and we despaired when Bruno found his forever home so quickly that Benny might pine away.

Bruno quickly found his feet with his new family and the delights of British pub grub whilst Benny lingered in foster with his tail between his legs.

Then along came Sarah and Benny transformed into a poster boy.

Benny and Bruno still met up for play dates and as Benny officially has the undisputed best wardrobe of coats and accessories he’s been nominated as our style guru.

Benny helped Bruno edit the WAG Guide to British Pubs – if you know of a dog friendly pub which you think should be included please message their PA: wendy@starlightbarking.co.uk

Benny has a new baby human sister and is increasingly concerned about protecting the planet for her future and so will be writing a few articles on WAG ADVISOR about caring for our planet.

Benny has discovered a wonderful new dog toy and accessory company called Avanti which he will be barking about on TRAVEL ADVISOR. All their dog products are sustainable and made from re-cycled plastic and wool and all their profits are ploughed back into WWF in India where they are based.

Their latest range of gorgeous recycled plastic dog toys feature endangered species.

After 5 happy years living in Manchester, sadly Bruno passed at the end of 2022. A wonderful tribute to him can be found on our new Rainbow Bridge page.

Ty

Ty had been the dream guard dog, loyal, kind to kids and cats but ever ready to pump up his chest and ward suspect strangers away.

But then at 10 years of age, blind and past his sell-by-date his owner tied him to a tree and left him to die.

Fortunately for Ty the rescue angels found him, took him to the shelter but worried that he would literally die of boredom. Turning in circles in his hell-hole cage this was no place for an active working dog.

Then along came a couple looking to offer a senior dog a retirement home in Ireland with their dog Molly.

After two happy years in the Irish countryside, Ty became the first of our “Ghost Dogs” to pass over to the Rainbow Bridge and a tribute to him can be found here. For more information about adopting a Ghost Dog please see: https://www.starlightbarking.co.uk/ghost-dogs/

Neo and Willow

Former Ghost Dogs, Neo and Willow have one simple message to all the other long-term dogs. Never give up hope – there is a special person out there waiting for you – just you haven’t met them yet!

Neo and Willow not only help us promote all the other very adoptable Ghost Dogs who linger in shelters all over the world. They are are also compiling the WAG ADVISOR – GOOD BEACH GUIDE which features not only dog friendly beaches in the UK but those in other destinations who are trying to make a difference to the life of the strays………..we have a long way to go on this but Neo and Willow will not be giving up easily!

If on your travels you spot any remotely dog friendly initiatives please do share them with us. We think all dog lovers will really appreciate knowing about animal friendly destinations.

Please email: wendy@starlightbarking.co.uk

Lady Agnes

Another beautiful young lady finally living the dream between pampered London life and Norfolk beaches. Lady Agnes teams up with fellow Lemnos buddy, Benny on the WAG ADVISOR Style column and Celebrity Gossip. They’re currently compiling a list of just how many celebrities have adopted rescue dogs. Their results are staggering – which just goes to show – everyone knows it!

RESCUE DOGS ROCK! ADOPT DON’T SHOP!

Miss Lucy

Lucy had been chained-up for 7 years before she was dumped at Lemnos Shelter. She was one of the lucky ones and was given her “Golden Oldie” ticket to travel on the freedom bus. Immediately she arrived in the UK Laura, the owner of Big Bird Catering, fell in love with her and adopted her two days later.

Two years on, Miss Lucy has become a master of gastronomy both human and canine! Lucy co-edits the WAG ADVISOR – GOOD TAVERNA GUIDE with Saxo. They also jointly write the WAG ADVISOR – GOOD HOTEL GUIDE. If you wish to nominate any Dog Friendly accommodation for inclusion please email: wendy@starlightbarking.co.uk