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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Milly Vincent & Jessica Taylor

'Our dogs were abused and burnt - but now they're loved and saving our lives'

A group of dogs who suffered horrific abuse including being burnt with hot oil have finally found loving homes in the UK.

The loving pooches, who were starved, beaten and bred despite risk of complications, have been nursed back to health and adore their 'forever' owners.

After they were rescued by a charity, the pups are now 'rescuing' their owners by helping them navigate life with physical disabilities and mental health issues.

Ocho, Molly, Govenor and Patch are proving dogs really are man's best friend with their loving natures.

Molly

Seven-year-old Molly, who was rescued from the streets of Thailand, suffered horrific burns after someone cruelly threw hot oil over her.

She was saved by Soi Dog rescue and, after a lot of care and training, now has a loving home in the UK.

Little Molly had a horrific start to life, after someone threw hot oil on her while she lived on the streets (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

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Molly lives with Yvonne Porter, who suffered with depression after her mum passed away.

Yvonne said: "When she came to the UK she was so scared it has taken years of hard work to make her the loving dog she is.

"Everyone loves her, she is so gentle.

"When I adopted her I was suffering from depression after losing my mum, so all my focus was on Molly. So she rescued me too."

Patch

When Patch was bred, his parents had a dominant merle gene, which has about a 25% chance of producing deaf or blind puppies.

But greedy breeders allowed his parents to mate anyway, and three-year-old Patch was born with a heart murmur. He also had an eye removed last year.

Patch was born with a heart murmur and had to have his eye removed (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

But after being matched up with Laura Paramore, he's had a new lease of life - and he's given Laura reason to carry on too.

Laura, who is grappling with the loss of her daughter and her father, said Patch is her "reason to get up in the morning."

He's helping Laura deal with PTSD and anxiety, as well as fits caused by a brain tumour.

In addition to showering her with love, he keeps an eye on her health – and will lay down by Laura’s side alerting her when she’s about to have a fit.

Laura said: "Patch wasn't breathing when he was born and I saved him.

"His eyes didn't open so we took him to the vets and they prized them open and I was told he was blind.

Patch now looks after Laura and can tell when she's about to fit (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

"Patch has microphthalmia, which means his eyes are too small, as well as a grade 3 heart murmur and epilepsy."

She said he acts as her "support and alert" dog.

"I have PTSD and really bad anxiety but Patch knows when I'm down, he will come and kiss me smiles then puts his paws around me.

"He goes everywhere with me and he is the reason I'm still here today," she said.

“Patch has helped me cope with the loss of my dad and my baby girl. He even came to the funeral with me. Words can't express how much he means to me."

Govenor

While four-year-old Govenor's start to life is unknown, after he was rescued in Ireland and brought to the UK, he was underweight and "afraid of his own shadow."

However, after three years of TLC, the German Shepherd is confident and loving. He lives with Angel King, who described him as her "balance aid and cuddle monster."

Angel, a wheelchair user, trained him for years to get him where he is today.

German Shepherd Govenor was in a horrible state when he was rescued (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)
He now sticks by Angel's side and supports her when she needs him (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

She said: “This was the first dog I had to train from my wheelchair.

"Also, because I needed him to pick things up there was a lot of chasing him when he picked up my shoes or hairbrush.

"Training him to get out my front door due to my chair was a carefully mastered manoeuvre. But he got it within a week."

Now, he's learned all the tricks he needs to know and sticks by Angel's side when she needs him.

She said: "He picks things up and places them in my hand so I don’t have to struggle.

"Life without Govenor would mean I wouldn’t get out as much, as he gives me the confidence.

"Being in a wheelchair affects the way you feel as far as safety goes."

Despite a rough start to life, Angel described him as a "gentle and loving" pup.

"He is a massive part of my life, he’s not just a dog – he’s family," she said.

Ocho

Five-month-old Ocho hasn't suffered tragedy of his own - instead, he saved his owner's life. He lives with 29-year-old Chloë Hammond, who uses a wheelchair and works as a nurse.

Chloe has a strong attachment to Ocho, who she has trained to support her (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

"I had been trying to get onto a waiting list for a wheelchair assistance dog for three years," Chloë, from Weston-super-Mare, said.

"The lists were always closed. Then a litter of half working dog and half pet came up for sale in my area, I had to have one.

Do you have a hopeful, positive story to share? Email jessica.taylor@reachplc.com

"I went and visited the litter and he chose me. He was the calmest and sat on my lap. I fell in love with him instantly."

She took him home when he was eight weeks old and she immediately signed him up for puppy classes.

Chloe received a promotion shortly after bringing Ocho into her life (Jam Press/Naturo SuperDog Awards)

“I work as a nurse but doing this and being a wheelchair user is becoming harder and harder, especially as my mobility and needs change," Chloe said.

"Ocho will enable me to continue being a nurse and therefore continue helping others. I actually got a promotion after getting Ocho.

"I have become a clinical lead and I’m well on the way to one day being a nursing home manager."

Chloe said she feels her dreams are achievable with Ocho by her side. She now wants to inspire people with disabilities never to give up.

Ocho, Molly, Govenor and Patch are so special they are competing in the SuperDog Awards later this year, on 9 November, after being nominated for their efforts.

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