Woman Takes Her Dog To Care Home So Elderly Former Owner Can Spend An Hour With Him
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In news that's so lovely it will make your heart sing - a good-natured nurse took her pet dog to a care home over 300 miles away just so he could spend an hour with his previous owner.
SallyAnn Fisher, 51, adopted gorgeous sheepdog Cap from former farmer Alan Leek, 93, five years ago. Leek was forced to give up his beloved pet pup as his health began to deteriorate.
While the pair haven't been in contact since, NHS nurse SallyAnn kept Alan's phone number.
When the tier system was introduced in an effort to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, SallyAnn thought of Alan, and decided to visit him in Cumbria with Cap.
It was a 600 mile round trip for SallyAnn as she travelled from Marlborough, Wiltshire.
Speaking about her epic journey, she explained: "Seeing the look on Alan's face when he saw Cap made the whole trip worthwhile.
"He was so happy and Cap was too, I definitely think he remembered Alan, it seemed like they had an amazing bond.
"Cap spent the whole time nuzzling up while Alan gave him a stroke.
"It was a really emotional experience for us all."
SallyAnn added that things became tearful as they left to make the journey back.
"As Alan got to the door he turned around to give us a wave.
"I held up Cap's paw and gave a little wave back and Alan just broke down, it was utterly heart-breaking."
Cumbria is currently under tier one restrictions, which permits groups of up to six people to meet indoors.
While some carehome visits are restricted to close family, Alan has no close living relatives, and lost his wife some years ago.
"It's devastating to think that a man like that who worked in the fields all his life is now cooped up," SallyAnn said.
"It must be very difficult for him to deal with.
"Hopefully our visit up there brought him a little bit of joy."
Meanwhile, Alan spoke of his joy to be reunited with his pet pooch.
"It was so kind of SallyAnn, I missed Cap - I missed all of my dogs. The visit made me feel so happy, pleased and touched by the kindness shown to me."