When illness forced vets to remove Great Dane Lily’s eyes, the prospects of a fulfilling life didn’t look good.
But then no one had reckoned on her pal Maddison stepping in to turn guide dog. The pair have been inseparable for years but now find themselves looking for a new home because their owner could no longer cope. The catch for anyone interested is that the Great Danes come as a package. They have been waiting at the Dogs Trust re-homing centre in Shrewsbury since July.
Manager Louise Campbell said: ‘Maddison is Lily’s guide dog. If they are out and about, for the majority of the time Maddison will lead and Lily will walk nearly touching her so she knows where to go. It’s lovely to watch. Maddison is always looking out for her.’
Lily, six, was barely a puppy when she was struck down by a condition that caused her eyelashes to grown into her eyeballs, damaging them beyond repair. It was after this traumatic event that her relationship with seven-year-old Maddison developed as she took her under her wing. The best buddies lived together until their owners decided they couldn't look after them any more. Miss Campbell said: 'With her lack of sight, Lily's other senses have heightened so although we don't split them up often she can tell if Maddison is nearby. 'They curl up together to go to sleep and they are very vocal with each other.
'We haven't analysed their different barks but if Lily wants to go forward and Maddison is in her way, the bark will have a different pitch. 'They are very close to one another and enjoy each other's company'.
Miss Campbell said that Lily does all the things normal dogs do and if you saw her from a distance you wouldn't realise she had anything wrong with her eyes. She added: 'They are really happy with life, the glass is always half full with these two. 'They have been with us for a considerable amount of time but they are quite happy and go about their daily routine - they are very affectionate.'
She believes the dogs' size and advancing years, as well as the fact they have to come in a pair, may have put off potential owners and she warned that anyone contemplating taking the dogs in should look at their lifestyle and think of the responsibility involved.
'They are not gigantic when you see them outside. These are two lovely big girls who deserve to live out the rest of their lives together in comfort', she said.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1bSZapqg6
Guide dog for the blind
Guide dog for the blind
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Guide dog for the blind
I would take them!
Too bad they are so far away.
Too bad they are so far away.
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Guide dog for the blind
It's times like this when I want to rethink the decision we made years ago to go for the highrise condo in the city rather than the house in the burbs with the big yard.
"The dildo of consequence rarely comes lubed." -- Eileen Rose
"Colonialism is not 'winning' - it's an unsustainable model. Like your hairline." -- Candace Linklater
"Colonialism is not 'winning' - it's an unsustainable model. Like your hairline." -- Candace Linklater
Re: Guide dog for the blind
A Shropshire dogs home has received hundreds of phone calls from people wanting to rehome a blind Great Dane and her guide dog.
The two Great Danes were left at Shrewsbury Dogs Trust near Newport in July but have yet to find a new home.
Lily, six, had her eyes removed as a puppy and she relies on her seven-year-old companion Maddison.
Since launching an appeal, the trust has taken calls from hundreds of potential new owners.
The dogs' keeper, Gemma Pinchin, said: "I think the future's looking really bright for this pair... we've got someone coming to see them and so many phone calls which obviously we're so grateful for."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sh ... e-15428962
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Guide dog for the blind
Really cool story. Dogs never stop amazing me.
I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way. Mark Twain
Re: Guide dog for the blind
Very sweet, I love to hear the stories like this, which is why I subscribe to the
HSSV Animal Community Center E-Newsletter, to keep abreast of heartwarming tails ...uh, tales like these;
I rescued my two bouncy bunny sisters- 'Rice and Beans' from there
HSSV Animal Community Center E-Newsletter, to keep abreast of heartwarming tails ...uh, tales like these;
Dear Friend,
Imagine living with chronic ear infections so severe, one side of your face is paralyzed! This was Sunny after ten years of not getting proper care. The treatment was dramatic - remove the ear canal - the source of infection and all that pain. We are grateful that Adobe Animal Hospital answered our call for help!
While surgery left Sunny with some hearing loss, she was free from pain! Her ears healed and her personality blossomed, leading the way to a happy adoption. Thanks to an adoring dog parent, Sunny has a new home with two best friends and non-stop affection. See for yourself... Watch Sunny's Video!
Our goal is to say YES to every animal like Sunny. No matter how long they need us. That's why our monthly donors -- Faithful Friends -- are so important! They allow us to say YES without hesitating.
We looked into Sunny’s eyes (and ears) and we said YES. With your help, we can say YES to thousands of animals expected to come through our doors this year. Please join our life-saving work by becoming a Faithful Friend.
Thank you for helping us say YES!
Carol Novello
President
I rescued my two bouncy bunny sisters- 'Rice and Beans' from there
