Meet Tango, the English Pointer rescue who was once abandoned and forgotten in the hills of Andalusia, Spain, but who is now the star of a very different story! Here is what his adopter says of him:
“Overlooked and struggling to find a home in Spain (he was at a refuge for almost a year!), Pointers in Need came to the rescue by spotlighting his profile. Tango is now anything but unseen. In fact, he’s become something of a celebrity. He’s well known among our neighbours and local shops, and even reached the walls of the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts, where a painting of him was displayed at the 2025 Summer Exhibition.
Tango also enjoys the spotlight at my office where he regularly steals the hearts of Hollywood’s elite (and all the custard creams!). He sits in his very own chair in our screening room and takes part in reviews with executives from major studios such as Marvel, Netflix, Apple TV, and HBO. He was even once specifically requested to sit alongside an Academy Award–winning director!
It might seem unrealistic to adopt a dog from the vast fields of southern Spain and bring him to live in the centre of a busy city like London, but my experience has shown me that success depends far more on routine and lifestyle than on geographical location. Although I live in central London, Tango and I are active. He comes with me to the office every day and we escape to the countryside at weekends.
That said, we do experience challenges. Tango has deep-rooted traumas and sensitivities for reasons I will never fully understand. For example, he isn’t afraid of the things you might expect. He isn’t frightened by fireworks or gunshots, but he is terrified of anything related to ball sports: the sound of bouncing basketballs, footballs, or tennis balls triggers intense anxiety. He can also be difficult to walk on the lead, with moments of confidence followed by sudden unease.
Where Tango has no issues at all, however, is kindness. He is soft and accepting of everyone – human and animal alike – and is especially gentle with children. I don’t know why Tango was abandoned, but his complete lack of prey drive suggests he wasn’t suited for hunting or carries trauma associated with it (Tango’s true talent is napping in positions that defy the laws of physics. And I’ve never seen him point!). Still, he hasn’t failed in my eyes. He is the most loving partner and watching him grow into himself is one of the most fascinating parts of adopting a rescue. For example, Tango was silent for nearly a year but has slowly found his voice and will now make it very clear, with a bark, when he wants to play or it’s time for his yak chew.
All this is to say how incredibly rewarding it is – and for the army of people who assisted him on his journey to adoption – to see him thrive and be so clearly loved and valued. He is also a testament to how special rescue dogs are, how beautifully they can adapt and integrate into our lives, and how important it is to give these beautiful souls a second chance.
Facts:
Tango: ~4 years old
Adopted: July 2023
Lives in: London
Likes: Greek yogurt, peanut butter, a lay in, and sleeping under the duvet
Dislikes: leaving the office, bouncing balls, squeaky toys
Achievements:
Cancer Research UK London Run 10k,
RBC Race for the Kids 5k, Hyde Park
Superpower: Silky-smooth fur, ability to contort into impossible sleeping positions earning him the nickname “pretzel”, specialist in sleeping late and hating early wake-ups
Favourite walks: Epping Forest in Essex, Box Hill in Surrey, South Bank in London
Follow Tango’s adventures on Instagram: @tangopointerpretzel
Adopted by Lara Lom
