Big barks for Oliver!
Thanks to BBC.com for this article.
Blind bullmastiff named top dog
A blind dog that was dumped when he was just five months old has been voted the nation’s RSPCA Dog of the Year.
Bullmastiff Oliver was thrown out by an unscrupulous breeder as a puppy because he had an eye infection.
He was found by a dog warden before Christmas 2005, but despite urgent veterinary treatment lost his sight, with one eye having to be removed.
But Oliver, now two, has found a new life with owner Julie Harkness, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland.
She read his distressing story in the local paper and immediately offered to give Oliver a chance of happiness and a home.
Oliver has overcome his disability and even has a special artificial implant in his one remaining eye to give him a normal appearance, even though he cannot actually see through it.
‘Happy dog’
Ms Harkness, 38, said: “I can’t believe that Oliver has won the competition. He’s a true inspiration and clearly the rest of the country think he is too. We’re so proud of him.
“Oliver has been through so much but he’s made such good progress that we forget he’s blind. No matter how down we might feel Oliver always lifts our spirits.”
