A ONE-eyed Staffordshire bull terrier-cross who is set to appear on national TV has found his forever home in Basingstoke.

Max, who is ten, has spent nearly than half his life waiting to find a home, living at the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) Hertfordshire rehoming centre in Watford.

However, he has been adopted by Basingstoke resident Julie Dawson and now, Max is one of the canine cast of Petplan’s sponsorship bumpers around new Channel 4 programme ‘Animal Rescue Live: Supervet Special' which will highlight the number of pets in need of homes across the country.

Whatsmore, Max has become the perfect companion to Julie's father Peter Bentley who has dementia and is visited daily by Julie and Max.

Julie said: “My dad has always loved dogs and he looks forward to seeing Max. Max senses he has to be gentle and docile around him, and he knows when to give my dad space too.”

Max, who has glaucoma which meant he lost his left eye in October 2015, was adopted earlier this year and Julie thinks the patient pup knew he was home as soon he moved in.

She said: “He sat up in the car as soon as we arrived in Basingstoke, it’s like he knew he was home!

“He’s so calm and content now, it’s like he knows he’s in a good place, he’s a happy soul.”

Julie, who visited Max twice a week before adopting him, believes the ten-year-old spent so long in the rehoming centre due to his condition.

She added: “I think that’s partly why he was left in the shelter for four and a half years. People want to adopt pedigree dogs or don’t think he’s beautiful because he’s missing an eye.

"I think he’s beautiful and he’s such a bright boy. I want to make the last part of his life the best part of his life and I hope to adopt an older dog again someday, Max has inspired me.”

Petplan works with over 1,200 rehoming charities in the UK, providing four weeks free insurance to all rehomed pets.