Scout

I didn’t know I needed Scout in my life until he crash-landed into it and changed it for the better.  I had tragically lost my first dog, a whippet called Ruby, following an incident with another dog whilst we were out on a walk. Ruby died in my arms. and I suffered from terrible guilt that I couldn’t save my beautiful girl. This resulted in a spiral of anxiety, depression and a fear of walking Izzy and Misty, our subsequent whippets.

We weren’t looking for another dog when we heard about the plight of a blind lurcher puppy who had been saved from a pound and taken to a local rescue centre – East Midlands Dog Rescue. Scout had been picked up on the streets of County Durham and narrowly escaped death in the pound.  But thanks to the combined efforts of three amazing rescue organisations, his life was saved. The day my husband and I first met Scout, we knew he had found his forever home and that he would never feel alone again.

We had a decision to make about how best to care for Scout. Because of his blindness, we could either wrap him up in cotton wool or we could give him the opportunity to live a full and normal life. We opted for the latter and Scout has continued to amaze us every single day with his tenacity and zest for life.

From the outset, I realised I would have to conquer my fear of walking outside. I was going to be Scout’s eyes, and he needed me to be confident to keep him safe. I knew I had to do this for Scout (and myself) and that’s what I did. Walking Scout gives me confidence and the courage to face the world. Scout has exceeded our every expectation, passing his puppy classes with flying colours and achieving his Bronze Good Citizen award. He has climbed mountains, paddled in the sea,  and run and played on sandy beaches with his pals. He has enabled me to do things I would never have dreamt of.

Scout and I are a great fundraising team for East Midlands Dog Rescue and we have attended many events together. He is also a much-loved Therapy dog and has also become the adopted mascot of a local Carers Cafe, which is part of a social prescribing program to help reduce the number of antidepressants being prescribed, a project very close to my heart.

Scout has opened so many doors for me and has even allowed me to pursue a life-long ambition to become a published author.  I now have three books to my name,  two of which feature Scout. Lockdown has been tough for sure, but Scout and I have loved our daily walks, discovering new routes and enjoying the sounds of nature. Scout also gives me daily routine and structure, which is much needed at the moment. He has battled some health problems over the past couple of years and underwent major surgery to remove a potentially life-limiting tumour on his flank.  But in true Scout style, he has bounced back.

Scout is my rock and my best friend.

Read More about Scout The Blind Lurcher – A Lifesaving Friendship

As finalists, Tracey and Scout are now counting down to the evening of the 9th of November in London where the winners of each of the seven categories will be presented with their SuperDog Award. Ahead of the panel of dog-loving celebrity judges making their final decision, please help shine a light on Scout and leave a message of support for him below.