A “fun-loving” blind German Shepard pup needs the Renfrewshire community to get behind him so he can take the title of ‘Bravest Puppy of the Year.”
Ten-month-old Bourbon was born blind but that didn’t phase loving owner, Danielle McCutcheon.
And now that the pup has got to grips with his new Lochwinnoch home, he needs all the votes he can get so his 'paw-rents' can win a special prize, Danielle told Renfrewshire Live : “We got Bourbon from a neighbour in the Village and after a week or two we found out he was born blind.
“He’s got Mydriasis which causes his blindness, essentially it means the eye doesn’t reflect light through meaning he has no function of his eyes at all.
“The vet gave us the option to put him down but we thought absolutely not, we wanted to give him his chance, and he has done so so well.
“He’s came on leaps and bounds and due to that, my dad entered him in this bravest pup competition and we didn’t think anything of it.
“But we’ve made the shortlist and we are so proud that he is getting some recognition.”
Bourbon lives in his Lochwinnoch home with Roxy - the families 13-year-old dog and has adapted to life really well.
In his ten months, Bourbon has had a number of veterinary procedures but nothing phases him, Danielle added: “He is a fully functional dog, you honestly wouldn’t know he was blind.
“He plays football and interacts with other dogs great.
"He's had to go in to the vets for a few things but he just gets on with everything.
“Only on a Monday he struggles as it’s bin day and all the wheelie bins are in the street and he walks in to them.”
And Bourbon has even helped track down a missing teenager when he was only a young pup, “When he was four-months-old my dad was walking Bourbon when he traced a girl lying down on the ground.” Danielle said.
“His natural instinct kicked in and he lay on top of the 15-year-old girl who had actually been reported missing to keep her warm until the paramedics arrived.
“He is the sweetest most loving boy and we are all very proud of him”
Voting closes at midnight tomorrow and Renfrewshire residents are being urged to vote for Bourbon by visiting this link.
The first prize is an amazing prize of a fabulous dog-friendly overnight lodge break for the champion canine’s family and for the runners up there’s fantastic prizes from luxury dog brand Stocky and Dee, which creates bespoke accessories from collars and leads to blankets and bow ties, as well as a stash of gourmet pet grub from raw dog food specialists Bella and Duke worth up to £200.
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