Blind dog helped to see by plastic cable tie 'whiskers'

A blind dog has been helped to "see" – thanks to a set of "plastic whiskers". Dolly lost her sight after developing cataracts due to her diabetes. Owner Brian Chadwick said "We could deal with her diabetes, but when she went blind I felt really helpless."

Luckily, Dolly's vet Joanne McCelland carried out some research on the internet and came across the innovative solution of attaching extra long cable ties to her collar. "The effect was almost immediate," said Mr Chadwick, 71, of Arnold.



"Within a few hours she had learnt how to feel her way around the house with her new plastic whiskers." Ten-year-old Dolly, a Staffordshire bull terrier, has been with Mr Chadwick since she was a puppy.

Over time Dolly has become less dependent on the collar although she still wears it when she is out and about. "The special collar has become quite a talking point in our local park. I still can't believe something so simple has helped Dolly so much," he said.