A tiny dog who was in such a dire state he was mistaken for a pile of rags has now found his new forever home — and it comes with a girlfriend.
Little Morris was rescued from Portland Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne last year and his fur was so matted he was almost unrecognisable as a dog.
When a walker found the Shih Tzu, he believed he was dead before eventually realising that Morris was simply too terrified to move.
It’s also thought that his matted fur – which weighed 1.3kg (or around 10% of his overall weight) – was so tight and uncomfortable that it had left poor Morris unable to move.
But now, a year on, this little dog, who is also blind, has found a new life with his forever home.
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Morris when he was first rescuedMorris now in his new gaffMorris looks like a whole new dog in his forever home (Credit: RSPCA)
Morris was adopted by 82-year-old Josephine Newhall from Wythenshawe, where he is now enjoying the company of his new girlfriend Ruby, a Lhasa Apso belonging to her daughter.
Josephine said: “We knew he was blind when we took him in but I have the perfect home for him and he can get in and out of the garden very easily so it is no problem for him.
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“I have also found out he is deaf too – but he doesn’t let these disabilities hold him back at all. He loves playing with his tennis ball and loves Ruby to visit but she can be boisterous for him sometimes so he will let her know.
“They are really good friends and it has helped his confidence. Morris is a beautiful little dog and enjoys snuggling up to me on the settee – he is great company and when you think where he has come from it is a miracle he is still here.”
Speaking last year, inspector Ryan King said: “When the man who found Ashton first came across him he was laying next to a bench near the canal; as he wasn’t moving he thought the poor pet was already dead.
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“But on closer inspection, he realised he was breathing but his fur was so heavy and matted he appeared unable to move and he was obviously terrified.
“Vets at the animal hospital later found he was blind in one eye with glaucoma and had very little sight due to cataracts – so it is not surprising the poor dog would have been too terrified to move from where he was abandoned.” It makes us well up just thinking about it.
We’re just so glad this lovely little doggo is now safe, sound and happy in his new home. Look after your good boys and girls, people.
‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year
Thomas Melia
A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.
As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.
The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.
While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.
As we move from 2024 to 2025 the week ahead will involve plenty of rain, wind and some snow
If you have any plans over the New Year/Hogmanay period then check out all the important weather details below ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qllOnV0cDX
In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.
“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.
He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”
Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
Emily Sergeant
One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.
As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.
Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.
But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.
We’re supporting local treasures across the UK with vital funding
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 23, 2024
Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.
While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.
Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”
Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2023 
