INTRODUCING Walter - a real top dog if ever there was one.
To prove the point, Walter has been highly commended as part of the prestigious Guide Dog of the Year Awards 2008.
Walter, a cross between a golden retriever and labrador, lives with his owner Natalie Yarrow in Barnsley and was nominated for the outstanding work category due to the huge difference made to his owner's life.
The eight-year-old qualified as a fully-fledged guide dog at the tender age of 17 months in May 2002.
Since then, he has guided Natalie through four career moves and two house moves.
Natalie said: "My vision has deteriorated substantially during Walter's six-year career, so he now has to work harder to guide me through our ever-changing local public transport infrastructure and Barnsley town centre's renaissance."
The awards aim to recognise the amazing work of the UK's 4,600 guide dogs who provide valuable independence and life-changing freedom to blind or partially-sighted owners.
Vicky Bell, of Guide Dogs, said: "Although all our guide dogs are extraordinary in their own right, the Guide Dog of the Year Awards recognise some of those dogs that are truly outstanding." Dogs lucky enough to progress through to the next round will compete in the national finals at the Kennel Club in London on Monday September 8.
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