This 'rapping' dog finds a home after more than a year in a shelter (VIDEO)

Diesel spent more than a year in the kennel with not a single soul ready to adopt him. But the shelter’s creative approach changed everything. A heartbreaking yet funny video of the pup rapping his story caught attention of his future owner hundreds of kilometres away. The staff were in ‘tears of joy’ when the pooch was finally on the way to his loving forever home.

'Call me Harry Styles because I’m going in one direction'

Diesel, a two-year-old husky cross, arrived at Manchester Dogs' Home more than a year ago, having been transferred from another rescue centre where he’d come as a stray and remained unclaimed. Looking rather unique, with large ears and a pointed face, Diesel had a happy smile and husky-style markings.

Despite the shelter’s best efforts, not a single adoption application dropped in their inbox. But they were determined to help him find his happy ending.

This is when a member of staff wrote a song and featured Diesel in a hilarious video where he can be seen rapping his heartbreaking story.

Diesel promises to be ‘a good boy’ and not snore, adding:

Call me Harry Styles because I’m going in one direction,

home with you, hopefully - that’s what I’m hoping for.

And when the shelter least expected it, they received a perfect adoption request for Diesel. The Watsons fell in love with the pup.

'They were happy tears'

When the Manchester Dogs’ Home posted a video of Diesel on its Facebook page, it grabbed the attention of Londoner Mike Watson, who then made a four-hour drive to Manchester to meet the pet.

He brought along a friend’s dog to see how they reacted to each other, and after a successful introduction, Mike's wife and children came along to meet the pooch, too.

The family who always had rescue dogs were head over heels for the crossbreed, and adopted him straight away, with tearful staff lining the corridor to wave goodbye to the pup.

Diesel has now settled into his new life, enjoying long daily walks in the parkland, paddling in lakes and generally making himself at home.

The new owner said:

People stop me all the time to ask about Diesel. It’s like he’s been with us forever. He’s such a good boy and a wonderful ambassador for rescue dogs.

Anna Stansfield of Manchester Dogs' Home added:

Diesel had been inexplicably overlooked for so long, and when he was finally adopted by the Watson family, the staff lined up to wave goodbye to him. There were some tears but they were tears of joy.

Sources used:

- Manchester Evening News: 'Manchester Dogs Home ‘longest stayer’ finds family after more than a year in kennels'

- Manchester Evening News: 'Husky cross Diesel hopes ‘rap’ will help him find a home after 289 days'

Read more:

⋙ Shock and heartbreak as 117 extremely neglected dogs were rescued from a cruel hoarder's house

⋙ Rescue’s heartbreak as massive 60kg dog spends years at the shelter

⋙ 'Dumped like a piece of rubbish': rescue’s horror after dog 'hours-from-death' found abandoned in a park