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Monday 31 October 2011

A new home at last for the blind Great Dane and her devoted guide dog


  • Couple decided to take in Lily and Maddison after reading about them in the Daily Mail

  • Dogs can now look forward to holidays in France and the Lake District


  • It’s the happy ending that Lily the blind great dane and her trusty friend turned guide dog Maddison deserve.
    When the Daily Mail featured the heart-warming tale of the two great danes, who were looking for a new home, more than 2,000 dog lovers responded by offering to take them.
    Now Lily and Maddison are moving from the Dogs Trust centre in Shrewsbury to live with the Williams family 35 miles away in Crewe, Cheshire.

    Happy ending: Len Williams and his wife Anne with blind Lily and her guide dog Maddison. The couple have taken in the two dogs after reading about them in the Daily Mail
    Happy ending: Len Williams and his wife Anne with blind Lily and her guide dog Maddison. The couple have taken in the two dogs after reading about them in the Daily Mail

    Lily, six, was barely a puppy when she was struck down by a condition that caused her eyelashes to grow into her eyeballs, damaging them beyond repair. 

      Thankfully her friend Maddison, seven, became her new eyes and led her everywhere. The two have become inseparable and Lily follows Maddison, almost touching her as they walk so she knows where to go.
      But in July their owner could no longer cope with them and they were sent to the re-homing centre.

      Forever friends: Lily, left, being guided while walking with Maddison right. The pair have been inseparable since Lily lost her sight
      Forever friends: Lily, left, being guided while walking with Maddison right. The pair have been inseparable since Lily lost her sight

      Anne Williams, 52, and her husband Len, 53, a retired fireman, fell in love with the dogs when they read about them in the Mail and their offer was accepted by the trust.
      Mrs Williams, a business manager for an insurance company, said: ‘We've always had two dogs together, I like them to have company and so taking on two of them wasn't a daunting prospect.
      'My daughter moved out five months ago, taking her two English setters with her, so the house has felt a little quiet without them.

      Playful: Lily's lack of sight has heightened her other senses so she can often tell if Maddison is nearby without the pair touching
      Playful: Lily's lack of sight has heightened her other senses so she can often tell if Maddison is nearby without the pair touching

      ‘We live in the countryside and I miss having a reason to go for a walk - I can't wait to take the dogs out with us. We've also got a lovely big garden so it's the perfect setting for two huge dogs.’
      The couple plan to take the great danes on holidays to France and the Lake District and ensure they both enjoy life with their new family.
      Louise Campbell, manager of the Dogs Trust in Shrewsbury, said: ‘This is the happy ending we were all hoping for and everyone is delighted for Lily and Maddison.
      ‘The Williams family were the perfect match and we know they'll give the dogs all the love and fuss they so deserve.’


      by dailymail.co.uk

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