Three-legged Jess gives lick of life

MAN’S best friend and lifesaver . . . William McLaughlin and Jess

A loyal three-legged pet dog gave her owner the lick of life after he collapsed on a lonely country path.

For 30 minutes, six-year-old border collie Jess remained at pensioner William McLaughlin’s side, licking his face and pushing and prodding with her paws until he came round.

The drama began after the 66-year-old, Irish-born retired contractor set out from his Austerlands home for a walk along Lower Turf Lane, Springhead.

“I started to feel unwell and was shaking, sweating and feeling weak. Then I keeled over. I guess I’d been out for the count for half an hour before Jess revived me. She was repeatedly licking my face and prodding me with her paws. She never left my side and undoubtedly saved my life.

“There was absolutely no-one around and I would have been in dire straits if Jess hadn’t stayed with me. As it was, I was able to get back on my feet, with the help of my shepherds crook, and return home.”

William, who has a quadruple heart bypass, called his son Brendan, who took him to hospital where his father was fitted with a stent.

Brendan said: “Jess is a real hero. Her breeding gives her natural, mothering instincts and she really used them on my dad.”

Jess had her left rear leg amputated after an accident when she was three months old.

“She’s never seen it as a handicap,” Mr McLaughlin said. “She keeps an eye on me all the time. She’s almost human.”