A blind fell walking Yorkshire Terrier is set appear in a new guidebook about the Lake District.
Twelve-year-old Rosie became blind after cataracts developed on her eyes two years ago.
But that does not stop Rosie and her owner, 54-year-old landscape photographer, Rob Knowles, of Pallet Hill, Penrith, from getting out amongst the hills.
And now some photographs of Rosie are set to be featured in a book called Lakes, Fells Pubs and Things: Yet Another Guide to the Lake District, which is to be published next April.
The book, which is being written by Martin Gough, of Filey, will also feature 130 images of Lake District views taken by lensman Rob, a former night porter at the Keswick Hotel, who has also worked at the Derwentwater Hotel, Portinscale.
“Rosie is slowing down and bumbles about now,” said Rob, who is a home delivery driver for Morrisons.
“She manages to find her way about using her other senses and I’ve got a little sling for her.
“I was on Latrigg a few weeks ago and she managed up there.
“She does not want to walk down fast because she is worried that she will bump into something.
“But when she comes across a grassy area, and she feels safe, then she runs around like a mad thing.”
Rob recently posted a picture of Rosie peering over a bench on the Facebook page I Love the Lake District and it has received nearly 4,000 likes.
He has also set up a Facebook page called Rosie the Blind Fell Walking Yorkie.
“It does exactly what it says on the tin,” said Rob, who moved to Penrith in September, after living in the Midlands for a number of years.
Rob is part of a Facebook group called Let’s Talk the Lakes and met other members at the Bridge Inn, Buttermere, in July.
Among them was Mr Gough, who is an author of three books, one about the Yorkshire Dales called Up Hill and Down Dale, and the pair discussed his latest project and their collaboration was born.
“He has been working on the book since lockdown started and gives me regular updates about how it is progressing and an exhaustive list of subjects he needs pictures of,” said Rob.
“He says that he is going to use one of my pictures every three pages.”
Rob said that he has been taking photographs of the Lake District for more than 40 years and has about 20,000 images on his laptop.
“I fell in love with the place when I was about 10 and we used to visit.
“The Lake District is just incredibly beautiful, unique, special and varied and no day is the same and you just get incredible light,” said Rob.
“I have got so many pictures of rainbows, it’s unreal.
“Living here again has made me as happy as a pig in mud.”
