3 days ago
Epileptic teenage girl's support dog who can tell when she is about to have a seizure is missing in the Scottish Highlands
He has been specially trained to support a teenager with epilepsy by alerting her and her family to an impending seizure.
But two-year-old golden retriever Louie has not been seen for a fortnight after managing to slip off his lead during a walk in the Highlands.
An urgent search is now underway to reunite the support dog with 17-year-old Ellie Lynn, in Fort William.
Her mother, Louise Manson, said the family had been out to Steall Falls, in Glen Nevis, on May 26 when Louie gave them the slip and has not been since.
However, the 41-year-old believes the dog is still out there and said: 'We have heard barking and his scent has been picked up by a tracker dog, but other than that there's been very little.
'But it does give us hope that he's still alive.
'They are amazing dogs.
'I would hate to think he's out there hurt and we can't get to him.'
The family have camped in the area and had barbecues in the hope of luring Louie back to them while local groups and walking visitors have also kept an eye out for him having seen social media posts about the missing dog.
There are even wildlife cameras set up to see if he can be traced.
Ms Manson said Louie and her daughter bonded from the very first time they met.
She added: 'Louie picked Ellie, he stuck with her our whole visit.
'He's amazing, so bubbly and friendly.
'If Ellie is building up to a seizure he can somehow sense it and alerts us so we know what we're looking for and know if its going to develop.
'Even when Ellie is unwell he doesn't leave her side, he can sense when something is wrong with her.
'If anyone is ill, he lies with his head on our chests.
'He's Ellie's main support, like a security blanket.'
The teenager told the BBC: 'Louie's really important because he helps me with my epilepsy.
'He doesn't really bark but he tries to make people notice something's wrong and takes them to where I am.
'Then he comes and lies on my chest or stomach.
'He's very friendly, happy and cuddly. He sits on your knee and everything. He doesn't really leave you alone.
'I miss him a lot. It's weird without him around the house.'
Louie has a green collar with a small bow tie and is friendly to approach.
Ms Manson said he could be on any of the routes from the waterfall and added: 'Please get in touch if you see him.'
