Sunday 19 January 2020

You're my shaggy saviour: Blind, frail, anxious - but the lives of these adorable creatures were transformed by the help of other selfless animals with oh-so human instincts

A beautiful bromance
After being 'an only dog' for a decade, border terrier Toby was happy to help out when owner Jess Martin, 27, adopted blind puppy Amos from the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home where she volunteered.
The Staffy cross struggled to drink, so Toby guided him to the water bowl. Now the intrepid duo enjoy walkies in their matching hiking gear. 
'When Amos is on the lead, Toby body-bumps him so he doesn't collide with things. He's helped Amos's confidence so much, they've got the ultimate bromance.'
After being 'an only dog' for a decade, border terrier Toby (right) was happy to help out when owner Jess Martin, 27, adopted blind puppy Amos from the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home where she volunteered

After being 'an only dog' for a decade, border terrier Toby (right) was happy to help out when owner Jess Martin, 27, adopted blind puppy Amos from the Manchester and Cheshire Dogs' Home where she volunteered
Trust restored, trustingly
When Kasey Carlin from Brighton took on Mishka, she knew it would be difficult.
The Alaskan Klee Kai's first family hadn't socialised her properly so she was snappy, lunging at dogs and people.
That all changed when she met 25-year-old Kasey's other rescue dog, Maggie. 
Totally blind after her eyes were gouged out, jaw broken and ear hacked off in a horrible attack, she was rescued from Lebanon by the Wild At Heart Foundation.
'Maggie has no reason to trust anyone but adores people,' says Kasey. 'In the park, she runs up to say hello and soon Mishka was doing the same.
'She realised that people weren't nasty. Now Mishka is completely fixed.'

When Kasey Carlin from Brighton took on Mishka (right), she knew it would be difficult

When Kasey Carlin from Brighton took on Mishka (right), she knew it would be difficult
Keeping an eye on Boo
When Oliver, a guide horse for blind Boo, died after seven years together, staff at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk were worried.
'Boo had been reliant on Oliver for so long we didn't know how he'd do without him,' says the charity's Nicola Knight.
So the hunt was on for a new guide for Boo, who'd lost an eye to cancer, the other to being shot at point-blank range.
Staff soon settled on cob Flynn, also 22, because he was so calm. Three years later, they're best friends. 
If something unusual happens in their field, Flynn is there to reassure and comfort Boo. He helps when they come in at night and is by his side to calm him if Boo has vet treatment.
'They're inseparable.'   

Staff soon settled on cob Flynn (left), also 22, because he was so calm. Three years later, they’re best friends

Staff soon settled on cob Flynn (left), also 22, because he was so calm. Three years later, they're best friends
Dolly the goat has her own male nanny
All old ladies feel the cold — and that's no different for Dolly, a 17-year-old goat.
But when she gets chilly, her her friend George makes a nest for her in the straw at Manor Farm Charitable Trust in Bilsthorpe, Notts.
'They're inseparable,' says owner Di Slaney. 
'Both were rescued from petting zoos and the moment Dolly clocked George through the fence here, she started making eyes at him.
'Now they worship each other. George is a little lion for Dolly, who's so old she's got no teeth. Every time a vet comes, he pushes them out of the way as if to say: 'Don't touch my Dolly!' It's so sweet.'

But when she gets chilly, her her friend George (left) makes a nest for her in the straw at Manor Farm Charitable Trust in Bilsthorpe, Notts

But when she gets chilly, her her friend George (left) makes a nest for her in the straw at Manor Farm Charitable Trust in Bilsthorpe, Notts
Canine comfort blanket
Two-year-old harrier Lyle wasn't socialised properly as a puppy, but best friend Emily, an eight-year-old beagle, is there to help.
'He gains from her calmness,' says Jenny Hopkins of Dogs Trust in Newbury, Berkshire, which has looked after them since they were given up for unknown reasons two months ago. 
'She's his guardian and comfort blanket. They're so bonded that if there are three beds in the kennel, they snuggle up in one. They adore each other and that's why we want to rehome them together.'

Two-year-old harrier Lyle (left) wasn't socialised properly as a puppy, but best friend Emily, an eight-year-old beagle, is there to help

Two-year-old harrier Lyle (left) wasn't socialised properly as a puppy, but best friend Emily, an eight-year-old beagle, is there to help
A case of brotherly love
After being starved of oxygen at birth, shih tzu cross Bobbie walks with a wobble. But luckily her brother, Will, watches over her.
'Bobbie can't walk very well, though she loves it and gets very excited,' says Lesley Rance, from Truro, who adopted the pair from the National Animal Welfare Trust in March. 
'Her back spasms and arches all the time, making her legs stick out. So Will's her protector. She's petrified of all dogs and makes a grumbling noise when she sees one.
'Will immediately runs up all guns blazing, stands in front of her and barks and growls at the dog. She won't go out without him — not even for a wee!'

After being starved of oxygen at birth, shih tzu cross Bobbie (right) walks with a wobble. But luckily her brother, Will, watches over her

After being starved of oxygen at birth, shih tzu cross Bobbie (right) walks with a wobble. But luckily her brother, Will, watches over her
Hoppily ever after
Tuco, a two-year-old brown rabbit, can just about pluck up courage to accept a treat before dashing off to eat it. 
Luckily, Barbie, also two, brings him out of his shell. Amy Ockelford of the RSPCA, which is caring for them after their owners could no longer do so, says: 'They love to snuggle up and share a dandelion leaf.'

Tuco, a two-year-old brown rabbit, can just about pluck up courage to accept a treat before dashing off to eat it

Tuco, a two-year-old brown rabbit, can just about pluck up courage to accept a treat before dashing off to eat it
Mallard's mail order bride
When Stevie, a blind mallard, gets lost, he needn't worry. Within seconds, best pal Wanda will quack and make her way over to him. 
She does this every day when their food is put out and again every night when it's time to go into their house to bed.
'When I took on Stevie, I thought it would be good for him to have a companion, so I bought a female duck because they're louder than males,' says Di Slaney of Nottinghamshire's Manor Farm Charitable Trust.
'Wanda's his mail-order bride.'

When Stevie, a blind mallard (right), gets lost, he needn't worry. Within seconds, best pal Wanda will quack and make her way over to him

When Stevie, a blind mallard (right), gets lost, he needn't worry. Within seconds, best pal Wanda will quack and make her way over to him

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