Blind collie finds new home

A blind collie dog who found a new home after his plight was revealed in the Shropshire Star has rewarded his new owner.

Laddie has become one of the star pupils in an obedience training class -winning his Kennel Club bronze award after just nine weeks.

The dog was taken in by the Animal Samaritans rescue charity, which appealed for a new owner last summer.

Margaret Williams, of Oswestry, took Laddie home to join the other five members of her four-legged family. She has owned blind dogs, so knew how to care for Laddie.

After six months getting the timid dog used to his new surroundings, Miss Williams started attending obedience classes in Ellesmere in January and now Laddie has become one of just three of the dogs in the class to gain his bronze award.His owner said she had developed a system to help Laddie find his way about, using different words to teach him to turn right or left and go up steps.

"I kept him on a lead for the first few months when we walk on the racecourse, but now he wanders around by himself quite happily," she said.

"Laddie's progress shows dogs with disabilities can have a good quality of life."

Animal Samaritans fosterer Margaret Timmins said: "It just proves any dog can find a home."

Anyone interested in rehoming one of the many dogs the charity is currently fostering, is asked to call (01691) 682479.