by Chris Hunter

chunter@thekmgroup.co.uk

It's a hundred and one thanks to dalmatian Ruby, who gave her own blood to save her dying niece, Mabel.

The two dogs, owned by Clive Muller from Wilton Drive, Ditton, were running in woods near Blue Bell Hill when Mabel accidentally impaled herself on a broken stick.

Vets feared she would die after surgery and repeat transfusions failed to stop internal bleeding caused by the stick - which had wedged deep in the two-year-old's chest and neck - and said the only remaining hope was blood from a related dog.

"The vets said bring Ruby in," said Mr Muller, 49.

"She was really going downhill, but when they put the blood into Mabel she began to recover."

If Mabel is grateful to her auntie, she also has Mr Muller to thank - after he paid £8,500 for her life-saving treatment.

"The moral of the story is make sure you have pet insurance," said Mr Muller, who owns a heating company based in Walderslade.

He added: "I just absolutely love my dogs. They are part of the family.

"To be honest I had said to myself 'I can't keep spending money' - my feeling was I couldn't spend more than £10,000, although my wife said £25,000."

Money aside, dog lover Mr Muller says he has been left deeply affected by the trauma of the accident.

"It was horrible", he said. "I heard the screams first, then we found her lying on her side, kicking out.

"The stick had gone through two veins and two main arteries, and into a bit of her lung. It just stopped short of her heart.

"Now she's fully recovered, no wonder Mabel thinks her auntie is top of the spots."