When sweet crossbreed Twix was rescued by the RSPCA in February last year, the two-year-old pup was scared and anxious after a tough start in life.

Alongside her canine companion KitKat, she was moved to the RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham - but while KitKat quickly found a new home, poor Twix was left waiting.

It would be a heartbreaking 492 days before she found her forever home.

That was when Rachel and Nathan Goddard, both 39, stumbled across Twix’s profile online and instantly fell in love - the Chihuahua -Jack Russell terrier cross had finally found her happy ending.

Now Twix’s story is finding a wider audience.

This Adoptober, the RSPCA is calling upon experienced and patient pet owners to consider helping by rehoming and fostering.

Their support is helping more animals find loving homes more quickly and creating space in centres - and sharing stories like Twix’s helps shine a spotlight on the importance of rehoming at the RSPCA and also of fostering.

Rachel said: “We hadn’t been looking to rescue - we’d been looking at puppies locally, but I was a bit concerned about the ethics around buying a puppy, and knowing where they had come from. Then Nathan came across Twix and showed me her profile - it was love at first sight.

“We hadn’t had a breed in mind, we just knew we wanted quite a small dog, and the connection with them was the most important thing. Her profile said she had anxiety and needed a quiet life with a big garden - we’re quite introverted and thought we could be the perfect match.

“The first time we met her [at Millbrook], I knew she’d be coming home with us. She was so cute and sweet, she jumped straight up at me and put her tongue up my nose - it was an instant bond.

“She felt like part of the family straight away. It was so natural, she was so affectionate and seemed to love playing with us.”

So on 14 June - four days before their wedding anniversary - Twix finally went to her forever home.

“We said she was our anniversary gift to each other,” Rachel joked.

Twix soon settled in and now, four months on, Rachel says the little pooch is blossoming.

“Our favourite thing has been seeing her confidence grow and grow each day,” she said. “We still have a way to go, but her anxiety is fading slowly but surely, and it’s been amazing to see her becoming happier and more confident.

“Knowing the difficult start Twix had, and having spent so long in a rescue centre, is heartbreaking - but being part of her happy ending is incredibly rewarding.”

Every October, the RSPCA dedicates a month to raising awareness of the amazing animals who are looking for homes in the charity’s centres and branches - dubbed Adoptober - after being rescued.

Kate MacNeill, behaviour and welfare advisor at Millbrook, said: “Twix is such a loving little dog who just wanted to feel safe and loved - and we’re so glad she’s now found that with Rachel and Nathan.”