Stowmarket blind man and dog get guide dog Published duration 10 March 2011

A blind man and his dog, which has also lost its sight, are both being helped by a new guide dog.

Graham Waspe of Stowmarket in Suffolk, was helped by guide dog Edward for several years until the Labrador had to have his eyes removed due to glaucoma.

Edward, who is otherwise healthy, still lives with Mr Waspe as a pet and is led around by his successor, Opal.

"They've become quite good friends and I think Edward is happier for having another dog around," Mr Waspe said.

The 60-year-old, who lost one eye and has limited vision in the other, said Edward has coped amazingly well with his loss of sight, partly due to his awareness of "left" and "right" commands from his guide dog training.

He said he found it "very very traumatic" that Edward would not understand what had happened following the surgery to remove his eyes.

The glaucoma he had developed was inoperable.