HE’S hard to miss in his bright blue coat walking alongside the Saor Alba Pipes & Drums at the head of the independence marches, and Sheldon the Great Dane has become a symbol of the Yes movement as the Indy Dug.

When he was a little younger, five-year-old Sheldon was also a television star, playing Zeus in Scotland’s favourite television comedy Still Game.

It’s as a star of the Yes movement, however, that Sheldon has become known to activists across Scotland.

Now Sheldon needs help for he has had to undergo a double operation to save his sight – both of his eyes have been affected by a rare type of Glaucoma with the right eye particularly badly affected by dozens of cysts.

Owner Jane Cooper, 72, from Livingston maxed out her bank and credit cards to pay for the laser operation which was carried out by a veterinary surgeon in Penrith in Cumbria who was recommended by Scottish consultants as the only vet equipped and able to operate on such a rare condition.

The op was successful but to preserve his sight Sheldon now needs a long course of treatment, and Jane simply cannot borrow any more while her pet insurance with Animal Friends – they have still to pay out – doesn’t cover anywhere near the costs of more than £8000.

Jane’s friend Lyn McCann has stepped in to organise a crowdfunder on gofundme.com, and by last night had already raised nearly £1000 of the £8500 target – Lyn started the crowdfunder before the details and costs of the full treatment were known.

Jane Cooper told The National: “It started when he walked into a lamppost. We were told he might lose his eyes, but the specialist has saved them with laser treatment.

“But he needs a full course to save his sight and I am so grateful to Lyn and the people who have already contributed. If we can get the treatment completed successfully I am sure we’ll back on the marches whenever they resume, because he loves being part of those events.”

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