Hopes a hero greyhound will soon find his forever home are stronger than ever after he helped to save the life of a working gun dog.
Gleeson, who has been at the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust since he retired from racing, was called in to give a blood transfusion to a ten-year-old Labrador called Jay, who had suffered a ruptured stomach and needed an operation.
Jay’s owner Chris Whiley took him to Sutterton Veterinary Centre after a previous vet had said there was no hope and the dog should be put down.
Chris said: “Jay’s a fantastic working dog and well known at shoots in the area. He’s given me 110 per cent and I felt I had to give him 110 per cent back.
“I just couldn’t give up on him and let him be put down so I took him for a second opinion.
“The vets at Sutterton have been fantastic and I can’t thank them and Gleeson from Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust enough for what they did.
“Jay’s a one-man dog and after the operation I went in to the vets to help feed him. They said he was getting grumpy so I knew he was getting better – when I’m there he’s as soft as a brush.
“He came home last Sunday and has lost a lot of weight but I’m having to feed him little and often.
“It’s been really hard trying to stop him doing too much ,but he’s ambling about outside now and doing really well.”
A spokesman for Sutterton Veterinary Centre said: “Jay was seriously ill when he came to us, and was lucky to have survived the surgery. We are all so pleased with how he is doing and the fact he is now eating well and interested in life again is brilliant.
”Gleeson is a true hero. He has donated blood for two emergency transfusions in the past six months and both are alive today because of him.”
Gleeson was in Spalding town centre on Saturday with other greyhounds from the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust who need homes. The loveable four-year-old has been at one of the Trust’s kennels near Sutterton since April.
Kevin Stow, chairman of the charity, said: “The Trust’s dogs donate blood to the Pet Blood Bank. Gleeson has such a lovely temperament and is calm and chilled and really happy to do a blood transfusion.
“This was an emergency and we are always happy to help. Gleeson’s owner brought him to us to find him a good home after he stopped racing. He was well-known at Peterborough Greyhound Stadium.
“He’s now one of our longest stayers but we are hoping he will soon find the home he deserves.”