A PARTIALLY-sighted dog and the canine chum who helps her get around are the faces of a Christmas charity appeal launched by a Wirral vets.

Ruby and Ellie were chosen to promote Acorn Veterinary Surgery's first Pawsome Pets Christmas Appeal, which aims to help as many abandoned, unwanted and unloved animals as possible over the festive period.

Pet lovers are urged to bring in new pet food, toys and blankets for animals of all types. The collection will be distributed to various animal rescue charities across the region.

The inspiration for the new appeal came after David Crane, marketing manager for Willows Veterinary Group, which owns Acorn, visited Cheshire Dogs' Home and met some of their four legged guests.

It was there he met inseparable friends five-year-old Shar-pei Ruby and two-year-old Staffie cross Ellie, who came to Cheshire Dogs' Home separately as strays but have struck up a remarkable bond.

For Ruby, it will be her third Christmas at the rescue kennels and when she first arrived, she was a bundle of nerves and suffering from sores on her legs and a condition common to the breed called entropian where the eyelids and eyelashes grow inwards.

She has since had various operations but remains partially sighted and relies on Ellie to find her way round.

Home assistant Will Featonby, 27, who regularly looks after the doggie duo, said: "They became the very best of friends almost immediately and it helped bring Ruby out of her shell because Ellie craves attention and when we would go in to see them, Ellie would come bounding up and Ruby would just follow.

"They have both spent several Christmases with us now and nothing would please me more than to see them in a new home.

"In the meantime, charitable appeals such as the Willows Pawsome Pets, make all the difference to us at what is a very busy time of year.

"It helps us raise awareness too of what we do and we can't thank Willows Veterinary Group enough for helping us in this way."

For more on how you can help the Willows Pawsome Pets Christmas Appeal visit www.willowsvetgroup.co.uk or visit the Facebook page @WillowsVetGroup.

If you can give a loving home to Ruby and Ellie? For more information visit http://www.dogshome.net/ or call 0844 504 1212.