A guide dog with a difference

What do you call a guide dog for a dog? Is it still a service animal?

Bonnie and Clyde do everything together, from walking and wagging to bounding and burying.

But Clyde is always just one faltering step behind.

That's because he is blind - and his fellow border collie Bonnie acts as his guide dog.

She leads him to food or water, and lets him rest his head on her haunches when he feels a bit lost.

They are inseparable, and if Bonnie isn't nearby Clyde refuses to move a paw.

The pair were rescued as strays three weeks ago and are looking for a new home together.

Cherie Cootes, 40, at the Meadow Green Dog Rescue Centre in Loddon, Norfolk, said: 'Clyde relies on Bonnie the whole time. When she walks she tends to stop and make sure he's there - she does look out for him. They really are the most lovely pair of dogs.

Bonnie, two, and Clyde, five, were rescued after being abandoned on a street in the middle of a storm three weeks ago.




Long-haired border collie Clyde has a friendly face while short-haired Bonnie is much smaller.

Sue Cootes, 59, who runs the rescue centre with her daughter Cherie, said it was incredible to see how Bonnie took care of Clyde.

'She's a little darling and he just follows her everywhere,' she said.

'It's just instinctive with them to help each other and it's marvellous to see animals doing this together.

'We get them outside and on walks as much as possible because Clyde may be blind but Bonnie certainly isn't. We have large paddocks and they potter around together out there.'

There's more at the link.

Isn't that a heartwarming story? I'm a sucker for stuff like that - and Welsh border collies are among the most intelligent dogs in the world. If I were near them, I'd adopt them in a heartbeat.

Peter