GUIDE dog Bella – the faithful eight-year-old collie-cross companion of blind Teignmouth resident Tim Horsfield – has finally lost her long, spirited fight with lymphoma.

Diagnosed in April last year, she was still chasing beach frisbees and enthusiastically leading Tim around shops, parks and pubs almost until the day she recently died in the Teignview Veterinary Surgery.

Man and dog were inseparable for more than six years, and Bella reflected the strong character of her owner, who has sailed the Atlantic three times without sight.

on diagnosis, Tim wanted to give his constant companion the best possible help to prolong her life for as long as comfortably possible, and that meant using the only means available to him – his credit card.

Neighbour Ian Robinson set up an appeal, against Tim’s initial reluctant wishes, but donations flooded in from friends and neighbours, and from people who had read about the dog’s plight in this newspaper.

More than £3,500 was raised and used for treatment. ‘The generosity of public support has been admirable.

‘Many rose to the appeal, both local and upcountry readers, with donations ranging from pence and pounds, through to cheques for hundreds in three instances.

‘A Dawlish woman gave the rest of a homeopathic course that had considerably extended the life of her own dog; as Tim scaled down Bella’s chemotherapy.

‘This influenced his latter course of action towards Bella, financed by the appeal, reflecting successful prolonging of her final days.

‘Tim would prefer to thank every donor personally, such is his gratitude for Bella’s gift of eight-nine happy, extra months of good life, including through Christmas. Not unexpectedly, he is grief-stricken, yet satisfied that his sadness would have been far sooner were it not for many people who he has never met,’ said Mr Robinson.

He added that Tim had worked alongside the vets, meticulously preparing Bella’s daily diet from meat and fish, backed up with three or four daily walks, usually regardless of weather, with ball and frisbee an integral part.

‘I knew Bella for a little more than a year. She was loved by all, two and four-legged alike.

‘Tim’s dog was everybody’s dog. Today, the streets, shops and sands of Teignmouth are a sadder place without their big, black canine companion,’ said Mr Robinson.