Blind dogs lead the way on epic trek
John Muir Way fundraiser
Animal saviour Mione Morrison and her disabled dogs have been showing just how much love and care can achieve with their latest walk.
Mione, founder of the Glendrick Roost Animal Welfare Centre, undertakes a long-distance walk every year, taking with her one, two or three blind dogs with her - off lead - to show just how well they can do.
The latest walk was the John Muir Way, which runs from Helensburgh to Dunbar, a total of 134 miles.
However, an injury to one of the rescued dogs meant a change of plan.
Refusing to give up, however, on her fourlegged friend, named Rubylu, Mione chose to delay finishing the walk and dedicate hours of care to getting the pup - who like Mione herself has survived a cancer diagnosis - back on her feet.
She said: “Last year we started the John Muir Way in spring to finish by September-ish.
“Unfortunately last year Rubylu jumped off a picnic table to bark at dogs going by the sanctuary - something she has done for the last five years - but this this time something happened and she was unable to either stand or walk.
“It meant I had to postpone the walk as Rubes needed four and a half hours of therapy every day. This is ongoing to help her get her mobility back.
“She is walking again albeit a bit wonky, but getting there with physio, pulse therapy, red light therapy, massage and reiki.
“I do know that everyone bar me gave up on Rubes in September and did not think she would walk again. Even the physio didn’t think she would see the result we have now.
“Rubes also defied her cancer prognosis of six months to live - in 2017 - and now this.”
Now that Rubylu is on the mend, Mione decided now was the time to complete the sponsored walk.
“We only had 15 miles of the John Muir Way to do of the 134 miles when Rubylu had her accident in September and we managed to finish it last week.
“The two blind dogs Hagrid and Hobbit haven’t done a long-distance walk before but they have been superb. Except on roads or in dangerous situations these boys did the whole walk off lead.
“When I get my rucksack down they get very excited even though they can’t see it.
“They are both gentle, loving dogs. Hobbit, born blind, came from Cyprus - found starving on a mountain; Hagrid born blind and with no tail came from the breeder. Both boys are four-ish. Hagrid has been with me since he was five months old and Hobbit has been here since April 2021.
“I can talk about these amazing dogs till the cows come home.”
Mione and Glendrick Roost have 26 special needs dogs now.
“They are all so special said Mione.
“Fourteen of the dogs are blind; two are three-legged and and one is also blind; five reacted to vaccines by having fits (although this is mostly not happening now as they are on CBD oil) but one has had horrendous epilepsy since; two have cancer; and the rest have heart problems.”
Glendrick Roost exists for the sole purpose of providing a forever home for rescue animals and relies on the generosity of people in the general community to make donations to support its work, especially small but regular donations to provide a monthly income.
The sanctuary has been running for almost two decades, looking after more than 160 creatures of all sizes, from gerbils up to Clydesdale horses, who have been abused, abandoned or neglected, giving them a home for life.
They also offer educational and therapeutic activities – for humans – including for children and adults with special needs.
To donate to the fundraiser see: https:// gofund.me/28e2fe29