Taking the lead: The guide dog that helps his blind best friend get around

By Daily Mail Reporter


Special relationship: Elly (top), the blind pug, relies on her best friend Franky (bottom) to help her to find her way around on walks and to get food and water


This pair of pugs are firm friends with a very special relationship - one acting as the eyes of the other.

Franky acts as a guide dog to his fellow pug Elly, helping on walks or to find food and water because she isn't able to find her own way.

The duo, both four years old, are inseparable, with white-coated Elly following Franky everwhere he leads. She sniffs the air to find her friend, the nuzzles into his side to trot along with him.


But their special relationship poses a challenge for RSPCA workers who are trying to find a home for them both together.

Vets nursed the duo back to health after they were found in poor conditions, and hope someone will come forward who is prepared to house them both together.

Elaine Buchan, manager of the RSPCA centre in Newport, South Wales, said: 'This little duo obviously love each other very much.

'Franky is extremely boisterous and playful and Elly is very affectionate and cuddly. He looks out for her and provides support while guiding her on walks or to food or water.

'They both like to partake in doggy delights such as playing with toys and sniffing trees, but it is clear to centre they did not have that life before.'


Best friends: Elly sniffs the air to locate Franky, then nuzzles his side so he can lead the way

Inseparable: RSPCA workers in Newport, south Wales, hope that someone will come forward who can offer Elly and Franky a home together


Both Franky and Elly need operations before they can be rehomed, but their vets are confident that the dogs will be a delight to anyone willing to take them in.

Mrs Buchan added: 'There's absolutely no option of homing them separately as it would break their hearts and also be wholly impractical.

'They're great little dogs and I'm already jealous of the lucky owner who will get to care for such a loving pair.'



source:dailymail

Blind woman refused easyJet flight because firm wouldn't let her guide dog travel

By Laura Lynott


Joanne Jones was not allowed onto her easyJet flight from Gatwick because she did not have the paper work to prove Orla was her guide dog


A blind woman who missed her flight home because budget airline easyJet refused to let her guide dog travel, said she is ‘upset, angry and disappointed’.

Joanna Jones had been due to board a flight from London’s Gatwick airport to Belfast International on Sunday - with her poodle/Labrador cross guide dog, Orla - but wasn’t allowed on the plane because staff said she didn’t have the correct paperwork.

Miss Jones said: ‘I’ve experienced discrimination before, but not to this level over such a minor detail.’


Miss Jones, who had booked her flight months in advance and made a phone call ten
days before flying to check her special assistance was booked and she said the airline knew she was travelling with a guide dog.

‘I was first asked if I had a passport for her - which you don’t need when you’re travelling domestically, that’s only for travelling abroad,’ said Miss Jones.

‘I was then asked if I had any type of paperwork to prove she was a guide dog, which I don’t. So I pointed to her harness and the tag on her lead and collar and to the fact that I am obviously blind.

‘They went back to speak to people in head office and came back to me and said that, if I don’t have the paperwork, I wouldn’t be allowed to fly.’

She said: ‘I am totally frustrated and flabbergasted’ by the whole ordeal.

She has made the trip between England and Northern Ireland many times over the last 12 years, including on easyJet flights, and says she has never been asked for paperwork before.

‘I fly backwards and forwards a few times each year to see my parents, but now I’m left thinking oh goodness, who am I going to fly with next time and what’s going to be the easiest route for me to take?,’ she said.

In a statement from the Guide Dogs Association, Transport Policy Officer John Welsman said: ‘While what happened to Ms Jones is unfortunate, airlines do have rules which say that assistance dog owners must provide proof of their dog’s status.

‘Those rules are in place to protect passenger safety, and we would remind all our guide dog owners to carry their ID cards with them at all times.’

On Sunday, she contacted the Guide Dog Association through an emergency number and they sent basic details - including the computer number printed on Orla’s collar - to the service desk.

Gatwick Airport, where Miss Jones was not permitted to board her flight
easyJet at that point said they now had enough proof - but Miss Jones had already missed her flight.

An easyjet spokesman said: ‘easyJet welcomes passengers travelling with assistance dogs and carries hundreds each year.

‘However, in line with CAA guidelines, easyJet’s regulations make clear that documentation must be carried showing that they are a trained guide dog.

‘Guide dogs receive intensive training from accredited organisations like Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, to ensure that they can cope with the conditions on-board an aircraft. This is to protect the safety and security of the passenger, their guide dog and all other passengers.


‘In this case, unfortunately Miss Jones did not have this documentation with her and by the time it was faxed through she missed her flight.

‘easyJet staff offered every assistance to Miss Jones and transferred her free of charge onto the first available easyJet flight this morning.’

On arriving back in Belfast on Monday morning, Miss Jones was asked if she would travel with easyJet again and replied: ‘Probably not. I’ll have to have a look at my alternatives.’

She took to social networking site Twitter yesterday (Monday) to air her discontent at the airline.

Miss Jones was born partially-sighted and has been registered blind since the age of 16.

She had faced difficulties before but never to such an extent and over such a minor issue.

‘It makes you a little bit more cautious, a little bit more wary about the ease of travelling,’ she said.

‘Usually it’s something I would have taken for granted.’

Miss Jones’ partner Barry Toner, who is also registered blind, has also lashed the budget airline for a ‘lack of common sense’ in dealing with the issue.

He said: ‘I got a phone-call from her at 7.30pm to say that they weren’t letting her board the aircraft because they didn’t believe that her guide dog was, in fact, a guide dog.

‘The dog was standing there wearing an official guide dog harness and had a medallion with the guide dog logo embossed on it and with the guide dog name and number and so forth - but that wasn’t sufficient.’

Miss Jones and Orla spent yesterday relaxing at home, but she has said she will be taking the matter further.


source:dailymail

A new home at last for the blind Great Dane and her devoted guide dog

-Couple decided to take in Lily and Maddison after reading about them in the Daily Mail
-Dogs can now look forward to holidays in France and the Lake District

By Daily Mail Reporter


Happy ending: Len Williams and his wife Anne with blind Lily and her guide dog Maddison. The couple have taken in the two dogs after reading about them in the Daily Mail


It’s the happy ending that Lily the blind great dane and her trusty friend turned guide dog Maddison deserve.

When the Daily Mail featured the heart-warming tale of the two great danes, who were looking for a new home, more than 2,000 dog lovers responded by offering to take them.

Now Lily and Maddison are moving from the Dogs Trust centre in Shrewsbury to live with the Williams family 35 miles away in Crewe, Cheshire.


Lily, six, was barely a puppy when she was struck down by a condition that caused her eyelashes to grow into her eyeballs, damaging them beyond repair.

Thankfully her friend Maddison, seven, became her new eyes and led her everywhere.

The two have become inseparable and Lily follows Maddison, almost touching her as they walk so she knows where to go.

But in July their owner could no longer cope with them and they were sent to the re-homing centre.

Forever friends: Lily, left, being guided while walking with Maddison right. The pair have been inseparable since Lily lost her sight


Anne Williams, 52, and her husband Len, 53, a retired fireman, fell in love with the dogs when they read about them in the Mail and their offer was accepted by the trust.

Mrs Williams, a business manager for an insurance company, said: ‘We've always had two dogs together, I like them to have company and so taking on two of them wasn't a daunting prospect.

'My daughter moved out five months ago, taking her two English setters with her, so the house has felt a little quiet without them.


Playful: Lily's lack of sight has heightened her other senses so she can often tell if Maddison is nearby without the pair touching


‘We live in the countryside and I miss having a reason to go for a walk - I can't wait to take the dogs out with us. We've also got a lovely big garden so it's the perfect setting for two huge dogs.’

The couple plan to take the great danes on holidays to France and the Lake District and ensure they both enjoy life with their new family.

Louise Campbell, manager of the Dogs Trust in Shrewsbury, said: ‘This is the happy ending we were all hoping for and everyone is delighted for Lily and Maddison.

‘The Williams family were the perfect match and we know they'll give the dogs all the love and fuss they so deserve.’


source:dailymail

Meet the blind Great Dane in need of a home (but you'll need to make space for HER huge guide dog)

-'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'

By Nadia Gilani


Homeless: Blind Great Dane Lily and her kind-hearted canine carer Maddison

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.

Forever friends: Lily, left, being guided while walking with Maddison right. The pair have been inseparable since Lily lost her sight

Playful: Lily's lack of sight has heightened her other senses so she can often tell if Maddison is nearby without the pair touching

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 Great Dane is seeking an owner who would be willing to give both her and best friend Maddison a new home

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'.


source: dailymail

Meet the blind Great Dane in need of a home (but you'll need to make space for HER huge guide dog)

-'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'


By Nadia Gilani


Forever friends: Lily, left, being guided while walking with Maddison right. The pair have been inseparable since Lily lost her sight


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'.

Playful: Lily's lack of sight has heightened her other senses so she can often tell if Maddison is nearby without the pair touching

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.

Dogs Trust cares for around 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year through a network of 17 re-homing centres.


The Great Dane is seeking an owner who would be willing to give both her and best friend Maddison a new home


source:dailymail

The blind dog who needs a new home... and he comes with his own guide dog

By Daily Mail Reporter


Leading the way: Zac, right, and his guide dog Lilli are looking for a new home


As dogs go he's cute, affectionate and is very loyal. But Zac the abandoned blind Jack Terrier is struggling to find new owners - because the pooch comes complete with his very own guide dog.

Staff at an animal charity are refusing to separate Zac from his canine pal Lilli, who guides him everywhere, and are insisting potential owners must take the dogs as a pair.

Zac had both of his eyes removed five years ago and he now relies on Lilli to get about, staying inches from her side when eating, drinking or while on walks.


When Zac gets tired or disorientated, Lilli even lets him rest his head on her.

According to staff at the Blue Cross centre in Tiverton, Devon, where the two dogs currently live, 10-year-old Zac is as outwardly capable as any other dog when he is with with pal.

However he is virtually completely dependent on Lilli, also 10, to get around and staff don't want to separate the two.

Inseparable: Zac, left, lost his eyes after an infection and now relies on fellow terrier Lilli to be his guide dog


The two dogs have been inseparable since they were both taken in as strays together a decade ago and in 2005 - when Zac lost his sight due to an infection - Lilli stepped in to act as his eyes.

When their previous owners moved abroad last month, the two dogs found themselves abandoned and they are now seeking a new home.

Sarah Russell, from Tiverton's Blue Cross centre, said: 'The pair simply have to be re-homed as a pair.

'They are totally inseparable and seem to have an almost telepathic understanding, which is quite amazing to see.

'Zak sniffs and smells Lilli and stays close to her so he can tell which way to go when they are out and about.

'She provides reassurance for him and actually physically guides him by nudging him in the right direction when he loses his way. Lilli stays by his side all the time and is very patient.

'She obviously knows he is different to the other dogs and is careful to walk round him and not knock into him too much.

'When he is off the lead they live together in the re-homing part of the shelter and they are really close.'

This is not the first time Zac has been in care as he was first taken in by the Blue Cross centre many years ago when he was a pup. However his devastated owner was forced to return him after she emigrated and couldn't take her beloved dogs with her.

The charity is hoping a nice family will take the pair in, where they can live a quiet life with a good routine.

Sarah added: 'Zac is a very affectionate chap and he enjoys attention. Because he can't see, his others senses are heightened and his little tail starts wagging as soon as you walk in.

'He is still a very happy dog and lives a fulfilled life.

Team terrier: Blue Cross workers Carly Jarman and Rachel Sirdefield with Zac and Lilli. Staff say the two dogs share a 'telepathic understanding'


'His new owner would need to be aware not to move things around so that Zac can have a clear route around the house and he'd need to be on a lead when he goes on walks.

'In return Zac and Lilli would be such a rewarding companions and give lots of affection to whoever adopts them.'


source:dailymail

Blind man keeps his old guide dog after it loses its sight... and then gets a new one who now leads them both around

By Daily Mail Reporter


Man (and dog's) best friend: Graham Waspe cuddles up with guide dog Opal (left) and Edward at his home


After six years of loyal service, Graham Waspe was devastated when his guide dog Edward was left blind after developing cataracts.

But his devastation turned to joy when his replacement Opal turned out to be a real gem.

Mr Waspe's new dog is not just aiding his owner to carry out everyday tasks, but also helping Edward to get around.


Mr Waspe, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, received his new dog last November after Edward developed the inoperable problem which resulted in him needing both eyes removed.

And the two-year-old bitch has stepped in where Edward left off as they tour their old haunts together.

While Edward is well know across the schools and community groups of Suffolk, Opal is now building his own reputation as their owners give talks about the Guide Dogs charity, training for such special dogs and the incredible ways they help their owners.

Graham said: 'Opal's been great for both of us. I don't know what we'd do without her.'

And his wife Sandra, 58, said that despite the loss of his eyes, Edward still loved nothing more than to be around children, have his tummy tickled and receive lots of attention.

The eight-year-old has been retired for four months but the loss of his eyesight has shown no sign of slowing him down.

Sandra said: 'We were both devastated and cried buckets on the night they told us they were going to remove his first eye.

Best buddies: The Waspes say the two dogs have got on fine since they came together, with Opal taking Edward to all his old haunts


'Graham said then "do you think he will ever be happy again?" and then they said they would have to remove the second eye.'

She added: 'He is still very popular - just as much, if not more than before.

'People ask lots of questions about how he copes and he is probably more famous now because even more people stop to talk to him.'

Sandra said Opal had arrived shortly after Edward retired and the two dogs got along fine.

'Opal arrived far quicker than expected because, sadly, a couple of people in the Stowmarket area with fairly young guide dogs had died,' she said.

Popular: The two dogs have attracted a large number of admirers during their tours of schools and community groups in Suffolk


'We got Opal on November 12 and she started training with Graham on the 16th and they were qualified in early December.'

Mr Waspe has limited vision in only one of his eyes following two separate incidents earlier in his life and coped without a guide dog until 2004.

As well as carrying out their school visits to raise awareness, the Waspes also do vital fundraising and run a local group.


Source:dailymail