They say a dog is a man's best friend. But in this case a dog is a girl's best friend.
Meet Sandie, a four-year-old pooch who does her owner's housework.
Her owner, Sue Line, of Coventry, has been paralysed for the last 40 years when she was thrown from a car in a New Year's Eve smash.
But thankfully for her, her intelligent hound is a real helper around the home - the dog loads the washing machine, separating her dirty clothes into dark and light loads and locking the machine door before the cycle begins; when they go to the local supermarket Sandie even knows how to take money out of Sue's purse and hand it to the checkout assistant; and she has mastered how to unlock the kitchen door to go to the toilet and always remembers to lock it again.
Sue, 61, from Coventry, said: 'My life has become so much easier since I've had Sandie helping me. She's such a clever dog and has given me a sense of independence that I never had before."
Sandie has even become something of a celebrity in the Bedworth area of the city. Once, during a shopping trip, a woman dropped some change and Sandie handed it back to her.
Sandie is one of 24 dogs that have been successfully trained by Dog AID - and has recently been awarded their highest award.
A real dogsbody: Super hound helps dress owner, does her washing... and even pays for the groceries
By Daily Mail Reporter
5th January 2011
Daily Mail
Four-year-old Sandie has proved she really is a girl's best friend - by learning to do all of her owner's housework.
The four-year-old pooch does all of owner Sue Line's shopping and washing - and can even pay for her groceries.
The Terrier-cross accompanies Ms Line, who is paralysed from the waist down, to the supermarket - putting all of her shopping in a bag, which she then carries around in her mouth.
Enlarge
Pooch power: Sandie helps to sort her owner Sue Line's clothes
When they come to the checkout Sandie can even take money from her owner's purse and hand it over to the shop assistant.
Sandie also loads the washing machine - separating her dirty clothes into dark and light loads and locking the machine door before the cycle begins.
She has also mastered how to unlock the kitchen door to let herself out to the toilet - and always remembers to close it behind her on her way back.
Ms Line, a retired NHS health trust manager, was paralysed 40 years ago after she was thrown from a car in a New Year's Eve smash.
Enlarge
Working like a dog: Sandie carries a bag for Ms Line who is paralysed from the waist down
The 61-year-old from Coventry, said: 'My life has become so much easier since I've had Sandie helping me. She's such a clever dog and has given me a sense of independence that I never had before.
'I have lost some of the use of my hands, so Sandie's help with fetching and carrying things is invaluable to me.
'The list of things she can do is endless. She does everything from bring me the post first thing in the morning, to fetching my phone if it starts to ring.'
Lee Armstrong, deputy manager of Sue's local Tesco store in Bedworth, said: 'Sandie has become something of a celebrity with other shoppers and staff as well as she goes about the store dutifully picking up groceries for her owner.'
Sue bought Sandie when she was just a few weeks old, from a friend - and hoped that her new pet would provide her with some companionship.
But it was only after getting in touch with a dog charity - Dog AID (Assistance in Disability), that she realised Sandie's full potential.
Ms Line added: 'Sandie's mother was a very intelligent dog, and that's obviously a trait that's been passed on.
'None of us ever imagined just how clever Sandie would turn out to be, though.
'I'm lucky to have a caring and supportive family around me, but it's great for me to have Sandie so they can have a bit of a break.
'It's lovely to have such a wonderful companion, and for me to regain a bit of independence.
Your post madam: Sandie has been trained to perform a number of household tasks
Enlarge
Smart dog: Sandie helps Ms Line to dress. The pooch is said to take after her intelligent mother
'People we meet out in the street are always amazed by her. My local shopkeeper has got used to her doing the shopping for me and handing over the cash, but it's always funny to see other people's faces when they watch her do it for the first time.
'Sandie and I were out shopping a few weeks ago when a woman in front of us dropped some change.
'She couldn't believe her eyes when Sandie picked up the coins in her mouth and gave them back to her. It took about two years to train Sandie to do all the things she can do now.
'The hardest bit was getting her to ignore food when we go into restaurants - she'd always be drooling when she smelt something delicious - but she's an absolute star now.
'I'm incredibly lucky to have her.'
Load and lock: Sandie is able to use the washing machine. She even sorts out the colours from the whites
Proud pooch: Sandie earned Dog AID's highest award and is a real help to Ms Line and her sister and full-time carer Chris
Sandie is one of 24 dogs that have been successfully trained by Dog AID - and has recently been awarded their highest award.
Sandra Fraser, the charity's co-ordinator, said: 'Sandie is absolutely brilliant. She's a real success story.
'Most people don't think of a Terrier cross breed when they picture a support dog - but Sandie does just as well as any Labrador.
'She has made a huge difference to Sue's life.
'We are always looking for qualified dog trainers to help us train animals to help their owners, like Sue and Sandie.'
For more information on Dog Aid visit www.dogaid.org.uk/
dailymail.co.uk
Meet Sandie, a four-year-old pooch who does her owner's housework.
Her owner, Sue Line, of Coventry, has been paralysed for the last 40 years when she was thrown from a car in a New Year's Eve smash.
But thankfully for her, her intelligent hound is a real helper around the home - the dog loads the washing machine, separating her dirty clothes into dark and light loads and locking the machine door before the cycle begins; when they go to the local supermarket Sandie even knows how to take money out of Sue's purse and hand it to the checkout assistant; and she has mastered how to unlock the kitchen door to go to the toilet and always remembers to lock it again.
Sue, 61, from Coventry, said: 'My life has become so much easier since I've had Sandie helping me. She's such a clever dog and has given me a sense of independence that I never had before."
Sandie has even become something of a celebrity in the Bedworth area of the city. Once, during a shopping trip, a woman dropped some change and Sandie handed it back to her.
Sandie is one of 24 dogs that have been successfully trained by Dog AID - and has recently been awarded their highest award.
A real dogsbody: Super hound helps dress owner, does her washing... and even pays for the groceries
By Daily Mail Reporter
5th January 2011
Daily Mail
Four-year-old Sandie has proved she really is a girl's best friend - by learning to do all of her owner's housework.
The four-year-old pooch does all of owner Sue Line's shopping and washing - and can even pay for her groceries.
The Terrier-cross accompanies Ms Line, who is paralysed from the waist down, to the supermarket - putting all of her shopping in a bag, which she then carries around in her mouth.
Enlarge
Pooch power: Sandie helps to sort her owner Sue Line's clothes
When they come to the checkout Sandie can even take money from her owner's purse and hand it over to the shop assistant.
Sandie also loads the washing machine - separating her dirty clothes into dark and light loads and locking the machine door before the cycle begins.
She has also mastered how to unlock the kitchen door to let herself out to the toilet - and always remembers to close it behind her on her way back.
Ms Line, a retired NHS health trust manager, was paralysed 40 years ago after she was thrown from a car in a New Year's Eve smash.
Enlarge
Working like a dog: Sandie carries a bag for Ms Line who is paralysed from the waist down
The 61-year-old from Coventry, said: 'My life has become so much easier since I've had Sandie helping me. She's such a clever dog and has given me a sense of independence that I never had before.
'I have lost some of the use of my hands, so Sandie's help with fetching and carrying things is invaluable to me.
'The list of things she can do is endless. She does everything from bring me the post first thing in the morning, to fetching my phone if it starts to ring.'
Lee Armstrong, deputy manager of Sue's local Tesco store in Bedworth, said: 'Sandie has become something of a celebrity with other shoppers and staff as well as she goes about the store dutifully picking up groceries for her owner.'
Sue bought Sandie when she was just a few weeks old, from a friend - and hoped that her new pet would provide her with some companionship.
But it was only after getting in touch with a dog charity - Dog AID (Assistance in Disability), that she realised Sandie's full potential.
Ms Line added: 'Sandie's mother was a very intelligent dog, and that's obviously a trait that's been passed on.
'None of us ever imagined just how clever Sandie would turn out to be, though.
'I'm lucky to have a caring and supportive family around me, but it's great for me to have Sandie so they can have a bit of a break.
'It's lovely to have such a wonderful companion, and for me to regain a bit of independence.
Your post madam: Sandie has been trained to perform a number of household tasks
Enlarge
Smart dog: Sandie helps Ms Line to dress. The pooch is said to take after her intelligent mother
'People we meet out in the street are always amazed by her. My local shopkeeper has got used to her doing the shopping for me and handing over the cash, but it's always funny to see other people's faces when they watch her do it for the first time.
'Sandie and I were out shopping a few weeks ago when a woman in front of us dropped some change.
'She couldn't believe her eyes when Sandie picked up the coins in her mouth and gave them back to her. It took about two years to train Sandie to do all the things she can do now.
'The hardest bit was getting her to ignore food when we go into restaurants - she'd always be drooling when she smelt something delicious - but she's an absolute star now.
'I'm incredibly lucky to have her.'
Load and lock: Sandie is able to use the washing machine. She even sorts out the colours from the whites
Proud pooch: Sandie earned Dog AID's highest award and is a real help to Ms Line and her sister and full-time carer Chris
Sandie is one of 24 dogs that have been successfully trained by Dog AID - and has recently been awarded their highest award.
Sandra Fraser, the charity's co-ordinator, said: 'Sandie is absolutely brilliant. She's a real success story.
'Most people don't think of a Terrier cross breed when they picture a support dog - but Sandie does just as well as any Labrador.
'She has made a huge difference to Sue's life.
'We are always looking for qualified dog trainers to help us train animals to help their owners, like Sue and Sandie.'
For more information on Dog Aid visit www.dogaid.org.uk/
dailymail.co.uk
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