Blind rescue dog has ‘guide dog’, UK

Source: BBCNews.com, July 24, 2009

A dog rescue centre in Norfolk is trying to find a new home for a blind sheepdog and its “guide dog”.

The two border collies, called Bonnie and Clyde, were found roaming on a country road. It was not immediately clear why one followed the other.

Cherie Cootes, from Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre, in Hales, near Loddon, said they could not be separated.

She discovered that Bonnie led Clyde, who had lost his sight because of a degenerative disease.

“If Clyde’s unsure where he is, he will suddenly go behind Bonnie and put his face on the back of her so she can guide him, he totally relies on her,” said Ms Cootes.

There’s no option of homing them separately. They’ve got to go as a pair
Cherie Cootes, Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre

“And when she walks she tends to stop and make sure he’s there – she does look out for him.

“When she’s about you wouldn’t notice he is blind, but when she’s not about he refuses to move.

“There’s no option of homing them separately. They’ve got to go as a pair.”

The dogs were found running through Blundeston, near Lowestoft in Suffolk, during a storm three weeks ago.

Neither Clyde, who is thought by the rescue centre workers to be about five years old, nor Bonnie, whose estimated age is two or three, had identifying collars or chips.

Adopt-a-pet: Blind dog gets his own seeing-eye dog, CA

Source: LA Times, October 23, 2008

Scooby & Scrappy

Scooby & Scrappy

Did you, like us, read the book “The Trouble With Tuck” as a child?  If so, you’ll surely remember the sweet story of a little girl’s love for her dog (the Tuck in the title) and her struggle to help him when he goes blind.  End result?  Say it with me, children’s literature fans: She gets him his own guide dog! (And, of course, they live happily ever after.)

We never thought we’d have the pleasure of meeting a real-life Trouble With Tuck pair, but meet them we did at the West Valley shelter. Call this tale “The Trouble With Scrappy.” Scrappy (the tan-and-white fellow above right) is blind and Scooby (his black-and-brown companion) is his guide dog. Scooby helps Scrappy navigate his surroundings and is his constant companion.

Scooby and Scrappy, both 6-year-old Corgi mixes, were brought into the shelter by their owner, who didn’t seem to care for them too much — they were both dirty and covered with fleas.

Since then, they’ve been cleaned up by the shelter staff and have even gotten into the Halloween spirit, as evidenced by their photos here. They’re now in the market for a new home. Scrappy would be pretty much lost without Scooby, so ideally they should stick together.

Scooby and Scrappy are ID Nos. A0547189 and A0491892, respectively.  These sweet, charming fellows are already neutered, so they’re ready to go home immediately. Meet them at the West Valley shelter, located at 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, or call (888) 452-7381 with their ID numbers for more information.

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