When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.
Meet Bonkers, a dog with a name as wild as his past. You’d never guess this chill, couch-loving pup was once an accomplice in jaw-dropping crimes. But behind his calm demeanor lies a harrowing story of survival, heartbreak, and an unexpected twist of fate.
Bonkers’ journey began on the cold, unforgiving streets of Leicestershire, England. His previous owner, a homeless man struggling to survive, turned to crime to get by, and Bonkers became his unlikely partner in mischief. Together, they roamed the streets, sharing nothing but a tattered sleeping bag to ward off the bitter cold.
But the crimes escalated.
One fateful night, the pair’s existence desperately escalated. Bonkers’ then owner stormed into a grocery store, brandishing a knife in a robbery attempt. As chaos erupted inside, Bonkers was tied outside the store, trembling in fear.
When the police arrived, they found the terrified pup shivering in the cold. His owner was arrested, and Bonkers was whisked off to the local College Garth Kennels. The convict was released on bail and went back to the kennels to collect Bonkers. The reunion didn’t last because the man was sent back to jail, and Bonkers once again found himself at the kennels.
While in the shelter, the once-cheerful dog began self-destructing. Trapped in a wire cage (or doggy jail of sorts), Bonkers chewed at his limbs, chased his tail endlessly, and rubbed his head raw against the bars. His fur fell out in patches as he shut down emotionally, consumed by anxiety and fear. Bonkers was breaking down…
Until one day, Emma, a Leicester police officer with a soft spot for Bull Terriers, entered the picture.
Emma’s favorite breed is Bull Terriers. Despite meeting several others up for adoption in the same kennel, as soon as she met Bonkers, a Bull Terrier crossed with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, she fell head over heels in love. This sweet boy was desperate for love, and he needed saving.
But a final twist loomed. Rumors swirled that Bonkers’ former owner planned to send a friend to reclaim him. Emma endured an agonizing two-week wait, fearing the worst. Would this broken dog be forced back into the life that had nearly destroyed him?
Lucky for them both, the friend never came. And when Emma took Bonkers to his new home, he melted into her arms, finally knowing he was safe.
Ironically, a Police Officer fell in love with a canine convict, but love is funny like that!
Bonkers now lives a two-minute walk from the beach in a warm home with his new best friend, Chips, a young Doxie who keeps him on his toes. He has traveled Europe with Emma and made many new friends along the way.
So, why the name Bonkers?
Despite being a super chill canine, Emma suspects it’s because Bonkers has some of the craziest canine zoomies she’s ever seen. Once a day, he is up the walls, head butting doors, diving across the couches, and spinning so fast that his legs can’t always keep up. As he turns on his butt with his legs in the air, she wonders if he was a breakdancer in his past life. The first time it happened, she couldn’t believe her eyes! THIS is why he was called Bonkers.
The details of the first year of Bonker’s life are sketchy, and no one really knows what he went through. But one thing Emma knows for sure is that this rescued dog has gone from rags to riches, and Bonkers is the bestest furry friend she could have asked for.
Bonkers’ journey from a life of crime to a world of comfort is nothing short of miraculous. Today, he’s proof that even the most broken souls can find healing and happiness.
If your dog loves ultimate comfort like Bonkers, check out our guide on the best calming dog beds. Our favorite dog bed is the comforting Best Friends By Sheri donut bed, which Bonkers swears by to get a good night’s sleep.
Do you have an incredible dog story like Bonkers’? Share it with us at Canine Journal in our contact form, and you might just inspire our next heartwarming feature!
