As a Lochaber care home’s resident pet, William the dog already has an important role as a companion for residents.
But the 10-year-old cocker spaniel became a hero this week when he led his walker to an elderly woman who had fallen, out of sight of passers-by, in a patch of woodland – effectively saving her life.
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William, who lives with the residents at Invernevis House care home in Fort William, was out for a walk with mini bus driver David “Towser” Stafford when the dog alerted him to something unusual in the hedgerow.
David, who brings OAPs to the centre for day care, said: “It was strange because William behaved differently from usual. Instead of his normal barking and running at ducks or the deer, he was standing still with his tail between his legs, and he was barking to alert me.”
William is a rescue dog, originally from Malta, who had been living with a family in Aberdeen before coming to the care home from a rehoming charity Give A Dog A Bone. He hit the headlines previously after friends and strangers alike raised £8,000 for him to have an operation.
Mr Stafford added: “It was around 7.30am in the morning, and when I got closer I realised there was a person lying on the ground. It was an elderly person and she was frozen.
“I didn’t know her, but she was very disorientated, and shivering. It is fair to say she had hypothermia. When I tried to get her up and walking she couldn’t do it.
“Eventually I got her back up onto the path, and I phoned an ambulance.”
Between William’s alert and Mr Stafford’s efforts, the lady – Fort William resident Edna Johnston, in her 70s – is now “very comfortable” in hospital.
Mr Stafford added: “I was at the right place at the right time and I am so pleased that William alerted me to her.”
Invernevis House administrator Nikki Robertson said: “William is a hero, and so is David – although he is very shy and doesn’t like it to be said.
“We are very grateful to this lady’s family who have been into the centre and have made a very generous donation to William’s upkeep.
“William is very good with all the residents and day centre visitors. They all love him.
“The cost of keeping William is made from donations from people in Fort William who have been exceptionally kind and generous. Everyone should be very proud of what has happened.”
The sister of the disorientated woman, Mrs Margaret Ryan, said: “A big thank you to William.
“My sister had collapsed and was hypothermic when William found her. She is now in the Belford [Hospital] where she is very comfortable.
“Thank you to Towser, the Belford – and a huge thank you to William.
“If William hadn’t found her the outcome could have been so different. He is indeed a special dog.”
William’s journey
William the care home dog came to Fort William in early 2016 after a nationwide search for a rescue dog to live in Invernevis House care home.
William had been a street dog in Malta, before being rescued and brought to Scotland to live on a farm in Aberdeen.
William didn’t settle into the farm life, and through a charity, Give a Dog a Bone, he was brought to Invernevis to live with the residents, as well as being a companion to all those folks who are visiting the centre for the day.
Before William, the care home had a resident who had a dog. When the dog passed away in 2016, he was sorely missed by all the residents.
Staff at the day centre got together and decided to look for another dog – and that’s when William came to live with them.
Due to mistreatment in his early years, William needed a hip replacement last year, an operation that was funded entirely by staff, residents and people from Fort William.
It is said that when someone is near to the end of their life in the care home, William quite naturally goes to their room and stays with them until they peacefully pass away.
Care home administrator Nikki Robertson said: “There isn’t one person who comes into this home and doesn’t fall in love with William. He is a great residential member of the team.
“The people of Fort William are very generous in helping out with his food, and Crown Vets have offered to make sure his maintenance is kept up. But every offer of support is gratefully received, as is the offer of a dog walk particularly in the evenings or weekends.”