Money

Adorable lab Wilko keeps his ill owner company as they self-isolate together


WILKO the yellow lab has been his owner’s right-hand man since they joined forces a year ago.

Angela Caletrio Carcera, 35, has psoriatic spondyloarthropathy, a condition that causes joint pain and inflammation. It means she has had to stay inside during the past six weeks to eliminate all risks of catching coronavirus.

 Wilko helps Angela mentally and with daily activities such as getting dressed and grabbing her phone

2

Wilko helps Angela mentally and with daily activities such as getting dressed and grabbing her phone

Wilko, from assistance-dog charity Canine Partners, has helped reduce the number of physical tasks carried out by Angela’s husband Javier, 37, at their home in Lancaster. But Wilko has also helped his owner with the mental aspect of being cooped up inside.

Angela said: “While we aren’t going to the shops any more, Wilko still helps me in the house with daily activities, such as getting dressed and undressed, fetching items, pulling my shoes on or collecting the post or my mobile phone.” This help is invaluable, not only to me but also to my husband, as it gives me independence.”

“He works from home and having Wilko here means he can get on with his work without having to worry about me or continually having to help me. If I do need him for anything, or if I fall, Wilko will alert him to this with a gentle nudge.”

‘Gentle nudge’

Before Covid-19, Wilko gave Angela a sense of freedom by not having to rely on anyone else when she left the house. There is a long list of tasks that Wilko can do. He can push buttons in the lift and at crossings, hand objects over at shop tills, pick up keys if Angela drops them and even get items from supermarket shelves.

But he has also become a great psychological support for Angela during lockdown, keeping her mind off what has been going on.
She said: “Wilko stops you being so preoccupied with yourself and with what’s going on in the world, as there’s so much to worry about. It doesn’t take away the seriousness of what’s happening, but he grounds me, my husband and everyone who meets him. He is just a wonderful, wonderful distraction.”

Meanwhile the pair have also been doing extra training to prepare for when things start returning to normal.

 Tails.com provides tailor-made nutritional food for pets
Tails.com provides tailor-made nutritional food for pets

Wilko’s typical labrador behaviour of “thinking with his tummy” has definitely helped — Angela has even made a mock-up supermarket so he can practise retrieving items from shelves. And over the past few weeks, he has perfected how to take off his Canine Partner jacket by himself.

Angela said: “He loves to train. It’s very good for him because it keeps his mind busy, too, and it’s great for building up our bond. It’s been a lovely thing to do together and it gives you a real sense of achievement. He enjoys it because he gets his food and it’s something that is going to be of use when it’s all over.”

Angela describes Wilko as “very lively, good natured, really honest and eager to please”. He has made Angela realise there is light at the end of the tunnel. She said: “He really makes you think it’s still worth getting up, that there are still things to do and you can still smile.”

“He’s also just a lovely friend. Often, it’s very lonely having a disability. It can feel quite isolating with the lockdown and it’s lovely to have him there. He’s my best friend, he’s so lovely. I can’t express how much I love him.”

Star of the week

PEDRO the long-haired Jack Russell provides much-needed company for Joyce Mullane – who is registered blind – while her daughter is at work.

Janet Mullane, 58, of Southfields, South West London, is her mum’s full-time carer but also works as a bookkeeper.

For the past six years, seven-year-old Pedro has been the 92-year-old’s daily companion.

He loves to sit on her lap and listen to the radio with her, and alerts Joyce when her daughter has returned at lunchtime to check on her.

Joyce said: “I don’t know what I’d do without Pedro during the day, as I can get quite bored when I’m alone.

“I listen to the radio and answer questions from quiz shows on the TV. He loves to sit on my lap and I treat him with a frankfurter for being such a lovely boy.”

Pet vet

Tom Cross, 49, from Windermere, Cumbria, has a Burmese cat called Kitty.

Q) I suffer from quite bad migraines and I have always wondered if cats can also get headaches. It is slightly unfair because they cannot really ask us for paracetamol if they do get them.

A) One of my professors in vet school asked a student to list the symptoms for some disease in cats. The student replied: “Headaches.” The professor was astounded, and came back with: “How on earth would you know if a cat had a headache?”

After a long pause, the student said: “Maybe they tell their partner they’re too tired for sex that night”. He passed his exam! The point is, we do not know if cats suffer from headaches, and I had forgotten that story. Thanks for reminding me!

 Vet Sean is here to help

2

Vet Sean is here to helpCredit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun

Aiden Fletcher, 33, from Liverpool, has a six-year-old Staffie called Rodger. He has spotted some unusual habits when he takes his dog out for a walk.

Q) I’ve noticed that when I take Rodger for a walk and he has to do a “number two”, he cocks his leg up as if he’s going to go for a wee. Is that normal? Surely that can’t be comfortable.

A) You don’t say if this is a new behaviour for Rodger or if he has always done it. If he’s always done that, then I wouldn’t worry, as some dogs just have odd little habits. However, if it’s a new thing, it might be a sign he is uncomfortable somewhere else when he squats to poop.

Typically in a six-year-old Staffie, I’d expect the lower spine, hips, perhaps even the knee joints, could have a touch of arthritis. It’s worth getting a physical exam done by your vet (when they can) if it is the case that it’s a new thing he is doing.

WIN: Hettie harness and matching bag bundle

WHAT could be better than matching your favourite accessory with your dog?
We have one harness and matching bag, worth £265, from celebrity-favourite British brand Hettie up for grabs. See
hettie.co.uk.
Send an email marked TWINNING to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk.

Georgia Toffolo breaks lockdown rules for dog birthday party just days after grandpa dies of coronavirus





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.