A clever dog is helping a number of charities raise money by selling artwork – she PAINTED.
Helper dog Ruby has learned how to share in her owner’s favourite activities, but learning how to skate, dance and even paint gorgeous ‘avant garde’ pictures.
Clever Ruby holds the brushes in her mouth and wipes them across the canvas in a series of colourful pictures – and she even stencils like BANKSY.
The five-year-old crossbreed also helps owner Megan Taylor with day-to-day tasks, because the 19-year-old faints up to six times daily.
After fracturing her skull in 2011, Megan suffers from dizziness, poor balance, hearing loss and frequent fainting episodes.
When she comes round, best friend Ruby is there to comfort and help her get back on her feet – and she was even honoured with a PDSA commendation for her dedication to Megan.
Megan said: “Whenever I faint and Ruby is there. She will lay down by my side and wait for me to wake.
“There is nothing stopping her from running off but she chooses to stay and protect me.
“Knowing she is there really helps me.”
“Ruby taught me that there is always a reason to be happy and to appreciate the smallest things in life.”
“I now live by the motto that a problem is only as big as you allow it to be.”
Megan, from Tolworth, south west London, is studying animal behaviour at university and taught Ruby everything she knows using positive reinforcement.
She hopes that her and Ruby will join charity Dog Assistance in Disability in the next few months to develop her training even more.
Ruby created two prints by moving the paintbrush with her mouth along the canvas to be auctioned to the highest bidder to raise money for the charity.
The paintings were created using a stencil to contain the words “My ability is stronger than my disability”.
Ruby, who is also a pet therapy dog and canine cub scout, has created a number of other charity paintings for Sea Shepherd and Life Vest Inside as well.
She learnt how to paint to attain her Cub Scout Artist badge.
Megan said: “I like to give back to the community by volunteering with Pets As Therapy and as a Cub Scout Leader.
“I also fundraise for many great charities and thought why not get my best friend Ruby involved too.”
“Ruby has so far created three charity paintings for Sea Shepherd, Life Vest Inside and now Dog AID.
“Ruby will be painting for many more great causes in the future.”
Sandra Fraser, chair of charity Dog AID, said: “Seeing Ruby actually paint a picture is very impressive.
“Megan is an inspirational girl who does not let her condition affect her life.
“Ruby already does sterling work helping Megan and hundreds of other people as a Pets as Therapy volunteer, yet I hope we will be able to help her become an Assistance Dog in the future.”
