A blind King Charles Spaniel who had her own guide dog has recovered her sight – but tragically lost her best pal.
One-year-old Ellie’s vision has been restored after she underwent a cataracts operation.
Ellie had relied on her big friend Leo the German Shepherd after he took to guiding her around and making sure other dogs didn’t get too close for comfort. But just a week after getting her sight back, her pal Leo had to be put down after he was found to have a tumour.
Owner Julie Lander said: "I’m absolutely over the moon that Ellie got her sight back, but I’m devastated that I have lost Leo.
"There was nothing anyone could do. He was one in a million."
Ellie was one of a litter of five puppies rescued by RSPCA inspectors.
She had cataracts and her eye muscles had not developed because she had been kept in the dark.
Julie, from Royton, Oldham is a volunteer at the RSPCA's Rochdale branch and already had Leo when she decided to begin fostering her.
She said: "I felt so sorry for her when she arrived and knew she’d need a special home.
"But I also knew she would be all right with Leo, as he just loved little dogs and they took to one another straight away."
Leo became Ellie's eyes and she would follow him around before snuggling up to him.
The RSPCA raised funds for her eye operation, which was carried out at the Animal Medical Centre in Chorlton by vet Pip Boydell.
But just a week after the successful operation, Julie discovered that 14-year-old Leo had a tumour and he had to be put to sleep.
Julie said: "Ellie always went to Leo when she was nervous and he would always protect her.
"Their relationship didn’t change when she got her sight back.
"They touched noses when Ellie came home and just curled up together. It was quite touching.
She added: "I’ve still got Ellie and I’ll give her all the love and devotion that I gave to Leo.
"It was almost as if he was here to make sure she was okay before he bowed out."
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Heartbreaking story, but 14 is a good age for a dog. I know for the owners the longer the better. But good for Ellie.
Aww, bless the two of them! What a marvellous story - both heartwarming AND heartbreaking at the same time. It really does seem like Leo hung on to make sure Ellie was OK before 'bowing out'. Most dogs are wonderfully loyal & sensitive creatures by nature (and those that aren't is usually down to negative human contact rather than their own fault). Humans would do well to learn from their examples sometimes.
joy and despair , i dont care what anyone says its totally destroying having to put your dog to sleep after having him so long
Many thanks for your kind word's I am Julie who has Ellie and of course the fab Leo. He was one in a million and did such a fab job of looking after Ellie.He is missed very much and for those of you who say "its a dog get a life" you have never had the wonderful experience of the love and devotion a dog brings to your life. I am now looking for a walking buddie for Ellie if you can help please feel free to contact myself. Your dog must be of a placid nature and not a bouncy one due to Ellie placid nature. My number is 07767480008.Thank you if you also donated to Ellie's eye fund! You must be in the Oldham area only please.
I have owned shepherds for forty years, they are a beautiful,loyal breed, who are devoted to ALL the family members R.I.P Leo. If humans shown the same dignitylove and loyalty, what a better world it would be
I never really saw myself as a dog person and would callously think "What's the big deal, it's just a dog" when hearing stories of dogs dying. We got a dog and it changed everything. My dog is family and losing him would feel as bad as if he were human.
A sad loss. I'm sure Ellie would trade her sight to have Leo back, if she could.