A SHEEPDOG has saved the life of a recluse who became seriously ill while living rough in a derelict farmhouse.
Robert Sinclair, 55, who has lived wild for 27 years in the countryside around Stirlingshire, suffered a serious asthma attack while squatting at the deserted Lethallan farm house, near Falkirk, where he often rested from his rural wanderings.
With the nearest neighbour at least three fields away, he lay in pain unable to help himself as his food and water ran out. Realising that he would die if he failed to contact the outside world, he scribbled a note and put it in a plastic bottle which he threw out of the window in the hope that someone might find it. Luckily for him a 14-month-old sheepdog called Ben was nearby, checking sheep and cattle with its owner, Brian Besler, 56, a farmer from nearby Rumford.
Ben picked up the bottle and carried it back to Mr Besler, who read the note and went to the police at Madison Station, near Falkirk.
Mr Besler said: “Rab often stayed at the old house. He’s well known around here as a bit of a recluse. The dog must have picked up his scent on the bottle and came running up to me with it.
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“I’m glad Ben found the bottle, but I don’t think he had a sixth sense that Rab was in danger, or anything like that. It was just luck.”
Mr Sinclair was taken to Falkirk Royal Infirmary, where his condition yesterday was stable.