A PARTIALLY sighted dog and the canine chum who helps her get around are taking the lead for a Christmas charity appeal launched by a veterinary group.

Willows Veterinary Group, which owns Clarendon Veterinary Surgery, in Altrincham, has launched its first Pawsome Pets Christmas Appeal.

It aims to help as many abandoned, unwanted and unloved animals as possible over the festive period.

Altrincham pet lovers are being urged to bring in new pet food, toys and blankets for animals of all types to Clarendon Veterinary Surgery.

The collection will be distributed to various animal rescue charities across the region.

David Crane, Willows Veterinary Group’s marketing manager, said: “When I visited Cheshire Dogs’ Home recently, I found it hard to walk around and see all the little eyes looking up at me and knowing there’s no way I could take all of them home and I felt we were in a position to do even more this Christmas by launching this appeal.”

David met inseparable friends five-year-old Shar-pei Ruby and two-year-old Staffie cross Ellie, who came to Cheshire Dogs’ Home separately as strays but have struck up a remarkable bond.

For Ruby, it will be her third Christmas at the rescue kennels and when she first arrived, she was a bundle of nerves and suffering from sores on her legs and a condition common to the breed called entropian where the eyelids and eyelashes grow inwards.

She has since had various operations but remains partially sighted and relies on Ellie to find her way round.

Home assistant Will Featonby said: “Ellie is Ruby’s unofficial guide dog and protector. Ellie came to us as a five-month old pup and we put her in with Ruby for company because we had realised how calm and much happier Ruby was when she was around other dogs.

“They became the very best of friends almost immediately and it helped bring Ruby out of her shell because Ellie craves attention and when we would go in to see them, Ellie would come bounding up and Ruby would just follow.

“When you take them out anywhere, Ellie will always lead and Ruby just keep close to her hind leg. If they meet any other dogs, Ellie will always check them out first and if they get her seal of approval then she will let Ruby say hello.

“They have two beds in the kennel but they always cuddle up together in one of them at night.

“They have both spent several Christmases with us now and nothing would please me more than to see them in a new home.

“In the meantime, charitable appeals such as the Willows Pawsome Pets, make all the difference to us at what is a very busy time of year. It helps us raise awareness too of what we do and we can’t thank Willows Veterinary Group enough for helping us in this way.”

Drop off new food, toys, blankets and other supplies at the surgery by December 18. For more details go to willowsvetgroup.co.uk or visit the Facebook page @WillowsVetGroup.

Can you give a loving home to Ruby and Ellie? For more information visit dogshome.net/ or call 0844 504 1212.