A SEARCH dog with an illustrious pedigree is set to enjoy a well earned retirement.

Bracken, a Collie who’s nearly 12, has been a member of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team for more than six years and attended nearly 50 call-outs. He’s also accompanied the team on many more occasions.

He and handler Elly Whiteford were graded as a fully trained ‘search team’ in July 2014.

Yet his career was nearly cut short in spring 2016 when he injured a ligament and damaged a wrist bone when his foreleg went down a hole during training.

Yet he defied the odds and attended his first call-out that December.

Two days later, on his second search with Cockermouth Mountain Rescue, he found an elderly diabetic man who had been missing for two cold winter nights.

Owner Elly said: “As I approached, he moved and raised his arm, he was alive though severely hypothermic and was flown to hospital in the air ambulance.

“It is hard to describe the emotions when your dog finds a missing person. It doesn’t feel quite real at the time and the adrenaline is rushing as you assess the casualty whilst getting on the radio to get information out about location and condition for assistance, then treating the casualty the best you can.

“After the casualty had been evacuated, there was Bracken sitting, temporarily forgotten in amongst the contents of my rucksack that was dispersed in a hurry to find thermal blankets and a shelter to protect the casualty.

“He then had a play and a fuss and lots of people telling him what a good boy he was.

“I was very proud of him for a job well done and that all that training had finally paid off.”

Elly added: “He has been a pleasure to work with.

“We have been in boats and he has been featured on the Coastguard website, pictured being winched into the helicopter wearing his ‘doggles’.

“He is the cover for our Friends Supporters’ leaflets and appeared in Cumbria Life and other various news articles.

“He’s my best friend and companion and through Covid-19 he has been my anchor and got me though the low points with his constant affection and companionship, playfulness and happy disposition.

“I cannot fail to smile at his beautiful fluffy face and the expressions and looks he gives me.

“He now deserves his rest.”

To contribute to the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team go to: keswickmrt.org.uk/

Anyone who would like to donate to The Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs organisation go online to: lakes-searchdogs.org