Partially sighted woman mourns death of beloved guide dog Weena

Partially sighted woman mourns death of beloved guide dog Weena

16 May 2018

A DOWNPATRICK woman is mourning the death of her beloved guide dog.

Weena, a 14 year-old black labrador belonging to Pauline McKenna, was put to sleep on Sunday as a result of ill health.

Mrs McKenna, who is partially sighted, said Weena was not just a guide dog, but also a “life changer, best friend and family member.”

Sixty five year-old Mrs McKenna has suffered from tunnel vision since the age of 10 when she contracted meningitis.

She said the condition has made life difficult, but the arrival of Weena in December 2006 made a big difference.

She received Weena, then aged two, from the Guide Dogs for the Blind charity and the pair soon became familiar figures in the streets of Downpatrick.

Mrs McKenna said Weena changed her world for the better and also became a firm favourite with her husband, Sean, daughters Sinead and Katrina, and later her three grandchildren, Nichole, Kristian and Tiarna.

“She gave me back my freedom and independence, becoming my eyes,” she remarked. “No longer responsible for people to point me in the right direction, I had her beautiful paws.

“Very quickly, she was welcomed by the people of Downpatrick and accepted with open arms, already having her place in the family heart.

“Because of Weena I was able to go on the train to Dublin alone and even to fly to England alone for an operation.”

Weena retired from her official guide dog duties when she was seven, but Mrs McKenna was allowed to keep her as a pet, even though she was replaced by another guide dog, a golden labrador called Lena.

Weena spent the latter years of her retirement with Mrs McKenna’s daughter, Katrina. “One was never far from the other,” an emotional Mrs McKenna said.

“Her last battle she could not win and on Sunday morning she took her last nap in Katrina’s arms knowing she was loved and will be missed by all the people who had the privilege to know her.

“It costs £50,000 to train a guide dog from birth to retirement. I am very grateful for having Weena.”