A poor pooch saved from an illegal puppy farm is now travelling the world in a campervan.
The poodle cross – named Jack – was rescued with his one-eyed mum and siblings after being found living in squalor.
He was just five-weeks old and he was in a barren kennel with no water.
Jack had been bred as part of a massive dog breeding operation.
Owners tipped off cops after their new pets became ill.
But two-and-a-half years after being saved from the property in the West Midlands in 2021, globetrotting Jack is holidaying for six months across Europe.
Retired clinical animal behaviourist Julie Bedford, from the RSPCA’s Woodside Animal Centre in Leicester – where Jack and his family were cared for following their rescue – adopted him.
She, Jack and her other dog Tinkerbell – another poodle cross rescue dog – have already visited NINE countries.
They have been to France, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia.
His adventures have included crossing the Millau Viaduct in France, a tour of Buda Castle in Budapest, and going under the Roman Trier Amphitheatre in Germany.
Next on the list are Greece, Italy and Liechtenstein.
Julie, 62, who lives in Gloucestershire, said: “I’ve always loved travelling and have backpacked around South America, Asia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and the USA.
“But now I go with Jack and Tink, I always check ahead and make sure the places we’re going to visit are dog friendly, which is much easier in mainland Europe.
“We tend to do outdoor type things and checking out World Unesco sites is a good start, we’ve been to some amazing places.
“On one of our trips last year I took a photo of them on the border of Austria and Slovenia – there’s a post that marks the spot and a line running through the area.”
‘They’re side by side but Jack is in one country and Tink in the other.
“I love things like that and I think that’s the reason I got the campervan,vit’s a home from home and the dogs settle really well in it.”
Julie added: “Because of his past experience, Jack was very withdrawn when I first took him in.
“He’d move away from people and was very grumpy initially.
“For some reason he was terrified of birds and used to have panic attacks if anything changed even slightly at home, for example, if a coat was hung somewhere different.”
“He’s a completely different dog now.
“Travelling and taking part in agility classes has really boosted his confidence. He adores cuddles and curling up on the sofa and of course he’s become somewhat of a globetrotter.
“He’s loved swimming in the rivers in Austria or just watching the world go by from a cafe in Germany.
“Both dogs are wonderful travelling companions and we’ve got Athens, via the Dolomites and Liechtenstein, as well as Pompei, to look forward to.”
Neil Everall, from Woodside Animal Centre, said: “Everyone at Woodside is thrilled at how Jack’s life has been turned around so dramatically. We try so hard every day to make a difference and to make things right for animals that have had an appalling start in life.
“It’s a great example of how RSPCA inspectors and rehoming centres work together to provide a new start for abused and neglected dogs and Jack is a perfect example of how amazing this partnership can be.
“The adoption of a rescue animal can be so fulfilling and gives animals a second chance to find happiness. It sounds like Jack has the perfect life and probably has more stamps in his passport than all of us put together.”
Chief inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, which investigated the illegal selling at the address where Jack was found, said: “It’s fantastic to see Jack looking so well and enjoying life after the neglect he’d suffered at such an early age.
“We’d always encourage anyone thinking of getting a puppy to adopt rather than buy, and to thoroughly do their research to ensure they source a dog responsibly and do not end up lining the pockets of irresponsible people who make money out of misery.”
