A one-eyed dog helping her owner through self-isolation
April 1, 2020
A one-eyed dog saved from the meat trade in China is now supporting her disabled owner through a gruelling 12 weeks of coronavirus isolation.
Mary Garland, 50, who lives in Maida Vale, North London is severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair. She takes immunosuppressant medication and is classed in the ‘high-risk’ category.
Normally Mary has a busy social life and fills her days seeing friends and attending events in support of the No To Dog Meat charity, which rescued Annabel, her beloved chow-chow.
Annabel was found in a terrible state – partially skinned and had an eye missing. But the charity’s actions, and Mary’s love and care, now mean that Annabel can lead a normal happy life.
And it seems that Annabel is keen to repay the favour now that Mary is in need, and the pair have become each other’s constant companion since the lockdown began last week.
Mary said, “It has been hard not being able to go to charity events, see friends or take out the dogs, but Annabel is a great company.
“She is so calm and helps calm anxiety at this stressful time, I am a qualified psychotherapist so I understand how to manage anxiety, but it is very hard sometimes even with those skills, and Annabel has been a godsend.
“She has been through so much in her own life, and now she is helping me through this challenging time, she comes and cuddles me all the time and touching her soft fur is really comforting in my wobbly moments.”
While in isolation, Mary is busy making plans for her future life with Annabel. The pair recently attended Crufts, where Annabel was No To Dog Meat’s ambassador dog, wowing the crowd at the NEC in Birmingham. Mary is keen to get back to doing that good work.
She said, “Annabel is such a loving girl with her own disability so we are in it together. She is giving so much love and joy keeps me going when I can not see family and friends.
“All disabled dogs deserve a chance and all pets who are rescued make a wonderful companion.
“I can’t wait until things pass and we can attend events again, and Annabel is the best ambassador No To Dog Meat can have and I am grateful to play my part, dogs really do save lives.”
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