A SMALL vegetarian dog called Rosie is a lifeline for deaf woman Valerie Fairhurst.

The alert dog can tell Valerie, 44, when the telephone or door bell rings - and even when her cooking is ready.

And it is all because of the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Rosie has for some 10 years been a vital help to Valerie and her husband Dennis, 49, who is also deaf.

But plucky Rosie has herself had to overcome a disability.

The Jack Russell, now aged 13, was badly injured as a puppy when someone tied fireworks to her stomach.

Rosie was found by the side of the road but her life was saved after surgery - including the removal of half of her stomach.

It meant she is now unable to eat meat.

Despite her early trauma, the gritty little dog recovered and was deemed suitable to be trained by Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Valerie, of Chancery Close, Tyldesley, said: "It has made a lot of difference, especially with the door bell.

"We used to have our curtains open at night so we could see people coming to the door.

"I even send her up to my husband when he is upstairs and his tea is ready because, of course, shouting is no use.

"If the door bell rings, she jumps up and touches my knee and takes me to the door.

"If the phone rings she takes me to the phone. For the smoke alarm she touches me and lies flat."

Bright Rosie even responds to the timer on the cooker so she can tell Valerie when meals are cooked.

And she even alerted Valerie to burglars in the garage of the house opposite when the little dog heard a motorbike being stolen.

It costs £2,500 to train a hearing dog including training, assessment and yearly checks.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People have placed more than 500 dogs with deaf people in the past 16 years.

Rosie with a picture of owners Valerie and Dennis Fairhurst.

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