Martin Clunes stars in new Dogs Trust video
Martin Clunes read the story to Rocky the Underdog.
Actor Martin Clunes has teamed up with Dogs Trust to read a festive bedtime story that will help dogs to get to sleep.
In a video posted on social media and YouTube, Mr Clunes reads an adapted version of the poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ to Rocky the Underdog.
In this new version, the famous opening lines become: ‘’Twas the night before Christmas, at Dogs Trust so bright / where each dog was resting, tucked in for the night.’
The charity has found that providing enrichment through talking and reading to the dogs in its care has had a positive impact. It's one of the tasks carried out by volunteers at the charity's rehoming centres to help the roughly 13,000 dogs that Dogs Trust looks after each year.
The use of reading as enrichment is backed up by studies which have found that dogs bark less and rest more when they have listened to classical music or audiobooks.
Mr Clunes, who is an ambassador for Dogs Trust, said: “I’m delighted to work with Dogs Trust on this project.
“The Dogs Trust team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to give the wonderful dogs in its care the second chance they deserve, and if a bedtime story can bring a bit of happiness and reduce stress for these dogs, then I’m honoured to be part of it.”
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, added: “We currently have over 1,500 dogs in our care, all looking for their forever homes. Until we find our dogs their forever families, we’ll continue to do all we can to make sure our rehoming centres are a happy place for them.”
The bedtime story can be viewed here.
Image © Dogs Trust
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
