A Żebbuġ couple reluctantly welcomed a new guest at their home, after hearing an abandoned dog whimpering in the cold under their bedroom balcony.

The dog was so happy to be homed he slept nine hours straight and ran out of the door in the morning after a good night’s sleep.

“Seeing him shiver in front of our very eyes was too much for us. We just couldn’t leave him outside,” Stephanie Slack said.

Residents in Ħal Mula Road, Żebbuġ, were greeted by an ecstatic dog every time they left the house in the past week, after a stray wandered into their street seeking shelter.

“He gets all excited every time he sees someone,” her husband Wayne said.

The stray dog, resembling the tal- Kaċċa breed, was first spotted on the road last Sunday morning, and has not wandered far since.

With collar marks on his neck, the dog is likely to have had a home before, but after asking around the neighbourhood, his owner was nowhere to be found.

Despite the dog’s cheery nature, none of the residents was able to provide him proper shelter.

“I already have a dog and my wife is seven months pregnant. Even though I’d love to make him part of the family, I just can’t,” Mr Slack said.

The other residents had similar reasons, he explained, and the poor dog remained out in the street exposed to the elements.

His desire to be around people and ability to answer commands reinforce their belief that the dog is unlikely to be a stray. In fact, he recognises and obeys orders like “sit” and “down” as well as any other homed dog.

Yesterday, the Slack family gave him a flea and sand fly collar, in an attempt to ensure he does not contract disease.

“He was so happy when I put on the collars he rolled onto his back and started playing.I think he thought I was going to take him in,” the man said.

In spite of the dog’s good nature, the family has been unable to find him a home. They have sent the usual round of e-mails and called all dogs’ homes, only to be told that they are full.

They even called the animal rescue, which turned them down because the dog did not need medical care.

“What am I supposed to do? Injure him so they accept him?”

The Slack couple are appealing for someone to take in the dog and give him the love he deserves.

“He is such a friendly dog, it’s impossible not to fall in love with him. His happiness will surely fill a home,” Ms Slack said.

namercieca@timesofmalta.com