Last week, North West SPCA Ballina shared the story of Spike, a ten year old collie who was brought to a local vet to be put down by his owner due to blindness.
The vet felt unable to destroy Spike – an otherwise healthy dog – and an appeal was made online to find him a new owner who would love him despite his lack of sight.
Spike’s story was shared over a thousand times and numerous offers of fostering were made.
Luckily for Spike an offer of a ‘forever home’ was made by radio broadcast assistant Annie Kane.
https://twitter.com/AnnieeKane/status/1599398407264555008
The lucky dog expects to start his new life with his new family next week!
Pet Sitters Ireland says, “Collies are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds, making them really easy to train.”
The famous breed who frequently can be seen corralling sheep usually live to 12-14 years old, and make great family pets.
It might look like he's jumping the fence for fun, but this sheepdog is actually blocking the herd from detouring sideways into a field; stellar workhttps://t.co/VuPyvtun9h
— Hy Bender (@hybender) November 30, 2022
Last February the Irish Mirror reported on Skippy – a then 26 year old border collie who was believed to be the oldest dog in Ireland.
“His owner Patrick ‘Pat’ Geraghty, 84, from Elly Bay, has raised Skippy since he was just a few weeks’ old after he got him from renowned dog breeder, Joe Dean, in Belmullet in the summer of 1995.”
Skippy, who was a hard working farm dog, passed away in his sleep last summer having reached 27 years.