‘Only for bad luck, he’d have no luck’: Meath family’s blind dog Alfie wins award

Louise Walsh

The owner of a remarkable four-year old dog who lost both eyes in an accident who also survived his stomach twisting twice said: "Only for bad luck, he'd have no luck!'

Alfie, the Bernese Dog from Athboy, Co Meath now uses his senses to avoid bumping into things and also answers to commands given in Gaeilge.

Owner Donal Glennon and his family take Alfie everywhere with them have never considered putting him down.

"We got Alfie as a Christmas present for my daughters in 2021 and, no different to the rest of us, he lives in our house and we adore him," he said.

"He is like our third child and comes with me every day in the tractor, no matter what I have to do."

Alfie lost one eye after he was knocked down by a van. A short while later, he lost his other eye.

"Alfie's eyes are basically stitched closed but he was perfect in every other way after the accident. I just said to the vet Pádraig Farrell that whatever about me being put down, Alfie was staying here."

Tragedy struck Alfie again early last year when his stomach twisted, which is rare in a big dog.

A two-hour operation led to his stomach being stitched to the inner lining of his rib cage. Within a week, Alfie was back at the vets with the same complaint.

"There's a 5 per cent chance of a big dog getting a twisted stomach in the first place but twice! If Alfie did the lotto, he'd win it twice in one week," Glennon said.

Alfie uses all his other senses to compensate for having lost his sight, but Glennon uses commands in Gaeilge to ensure he doesn't bump into anything outside.

"He has seemed to memorise everything in the house so he avoids bumping into it, like a robot hoover that avoids obstacles.

"But if we are outside, I'd say Balla Balla, which means ‘wall’ to warn him of a wall, and he will slow down or stop, and he will give me the paw if I say Lapa. He is just a hugely intelligent animal.

Glennon and his family say they are thrilled that their dog was honoured with a Golden Paw Award for bravery and thank Alma McGlory for nominating him. The awards by the Irish Kennel Club are sponsored by Agria.

"Only for bad luck, Alfie would have no luck so this is the first bit of good luck he's had in a while and we are delighted for him," Glennon said. As someone told me once, you will love a dog for a part of your life, but they will love you for all of theirs."