A fourteen-and-a-half-year-old Bearded Collie became the ultimate golden oldie at an animal welfare awards.

Bob from Headley Down, won ‘Rescue Dog of the Year’ at the inaugural Agria Welfare Awards.

He is originally from Manchester and his previous owner had passed away and due to his age nobody wanted him. He was found by Shirley Hinchliffe, founder of Beardies In Need. She was a finalist for ‘Breed Rescue Co-ordinator of the Year’.

Owner Lucy Rowan said: “Bob was in a very poor state and I didn't really think that he had very long. We still felt that we could do something for him and give him safe refuge for the end of his life.

“That was in August 2022 and he is going strong. When Agria Pet Insurance contacted me they had received thousands of entries.

“But said Bob had been listed as one of three finalists and I couldn’t believe it. When he won, it was a fantastic moment and for me it validated everything.

“It has been a privilege and a joy to adopt him.”

Lucy and her husband Peter have owned Bearded Collies for more than 50 years and their family’s history with the breed dates back to the late 1800s.

In addition to his age, Bob has limited vision and an autoimmune disease. However, it doesn’t stop him from “living his best life in Hampshire” as Lucy put it.

An awards spokesman added: “Despite Bob’s later years and gradually deteriorating eyesight, he has made a huge leap of faith and put his trust in a new family to offer him sanctuary, love, grooming and medical care.

“He is a testament to the resilience of the dog and sharing his renewed zest for life has been humbling, joyful and rewarding.”

What a paws-itive experience for Bob!