Blind Dave's joy at new guide dog two years after losing companion on Christmas Day
Blind Dave Heeley is delighted to have a new canine companion by his side after the sadness of losing his old guide dog one Christmas morning.
The 63-year-old, who is a great fundraiser for charity, has waited two and a half years for a replacement, due to his love of German Shepherds.
His old guide dog Seamus, a German Shepherd, died from cancer on Christmas morning, 2018.
Now Mr Heeley, from West Bromwich, has been able to find a new German Shepherd guide dog called Angus, who is two and a half years old.
Angus is undergoing training over the next four weeks in order learn routines and paths that Mr Heeley takes.
Mr Heeley - a fan of West Bromwich Albion whose nickname includes 'boing, boing Baggies' - says Angus is very much like his predecessor.
He said: "Sadly we lost Seamus on Christmas that year, it wasn't a very good Christmas, as you can imagine. For myself, my wife and the kids, it broke our hearts.
"I have been waiting two and a half years for a replacement dog. Although most guide dogs are Golden Retrievers, I wanted to wait for a German Shepherd. They are clever dogs.
"Seamus was a hero but some of the things Angus is doing, it is like he has been re-incarnated.
"It is like Seamus has come back through him.
"Angus is a brilliant lad. He came through the door like 'boing, boing, boing' and I thought this is the dog for me."
Mr Heeley was born with a disease called retinitis pigmentosa, although he wasn't diagnosed until aged 10.
When he reached his teenage years, he lost his vision in both eyes.
But despite that impairment, Mr Heeley has raised millions of pounds for charity through endurance sporting events.
He became the first blind man to run seven marathons in seven days across seven continents.
In October 2020, he was awarded an OBE in October for his services to charitable fundraising.
