IF a dog is man’s best friend, a Guide Dog must be family.
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Stamford, the four-legged companion of Newcastle singer and songwriter Matt McLaren, has proven he’s still got it, raising more than $4000 for Guide Dogs at his retirement party.
The Labrador melted hearts across Australia when he appeared with McLaren on Australia’s Got Talent in 2016. Stamford will hang up the harness next month after nine years of service. But he is not going anywhere, McLaren will keep him as a pet.
Scores of people turned out to farewell the pup two weeks ago, and on Friday, the proceeds of his retirement party were handed over to a gracious Belinda Carroll of Guide Dogs’ Newcastle branch.
McLaren said it was a fitting tribute to the selfless canine.
“People love getting behind Guide Dogs because it’s tangible thing – they enable so many people in so many ways,” he said. “It’s incalculable, really, what they do for people. I wouldn’t even understand the scope (of what) Stamford has done for me over the years.”
A Guide Dog costs more than $35,000 to breed, raise and train.
