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This National Rescue Day will mark 461 days since three-year-old Charm first arrived at the rescue centre in Battersea, London, and she's still waiting for her loving forever home.

Charm was used as a former racing greyhound, with little knowledge of the outside world and no real concept of a life at home with a family.

Although having spent well over a year in the care of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, she has come on leaps and bounds, with her confidence blossoming. Now, she's more than ready to find her place in someone's home where she can cuddle up and feel at peace.

The poor little dog has been at Battersea for 10 times longer than most dogs they rescue, but through no fault of her own. The average length is 38 days, but Charm has been there for over 450, a common occurrence for her breed.

This is mostly down to the misconceptions that tend to follow Greyhounds around. People mistakenly believe their energy levels and exercise requirements are too much for many owners. Although the team at Battersea are keen to reassure prospective new dog parents that while Charm loves to run, she's happy relaxing at home too.

Hannah Gee, Rehoming Team Leader at Battersea Old Windsor, said: "Lovely Charm lives up to her name in every way. She can be initially cautious around new people, but once she gets to know you, her playful and friendly personality shines through.

"While she does experience short bursts of high energy, what we like to call Greyhound 'zoomies', she's quite happy to potter around or snooze the day away. There's no doubt she's a staff favourite, and we're all rooting for her to find her perfect match."

In order to give Charm the best shot at being rescued, the team helped to prepare her for life outside of her kennel and gave her some well-spent time in a foster home. It was here she learned to embrace affection and spent many evenings on the sofa with her carer, prodding for more tummy tickles.

According to the rehoming team leader, the three-year-old greyhound proved herself as an "excellent house guest". Hannah said: "She settled into her foster home surprisingly quickly and took all the new sights and sounds, including the TV, in her stride.

"It's become clear that her love of food knows no bounds, and while her table manners could do with some work, her excitement around dinnertime only adds to her character. She's such a loving girl and is going to make someone a wonderful companion."

Due to her past traumas, Charm's worried side still comes out sometimes when out and about on walks, so in an ideal world, she'd benefit most from living in a quieter area.

This would allow her to have time to get used to familiar places, people and things and not live in a state of constant overload.

If you've been charmed by this special girl and are keen to speak to the rehoming at Battersea, please head over to their website to register your interest here: https://www.battersea.org.uk/