But there actually isn’t any different phrase to explain 14-year-old Robbie, from Doonfoot.
Robbie, although, isn’t any human superhero, however a Border collie – and, as we came upon once we obtained the prospect to fulfill him and his proprietor, there is no scarcity of how wherein he’s a very particular pooch.
Robbie has saved multiple youngster from being killed or significantly injured, and can also be a totally certified ‘therapet’.
In truth, so good is Robbie at serving to to carry consolation and happiness to the individuals he meets that he was lately named ‘therapet of the year’ on the Canine Concern Scotland awards, forward of 14 different nominees.
That could be motive sufficient to function Robbie within the Advertiser – however as his proprietor, 71-year-old Marilynn Killen, instructed us, there are a lot extra the explanation why Robbie’s story is a very particular one.
Robbie first got here to Marilynn as a six-week-old puppy – however he solely grew to become a ‘therapet’ after an opportunity assembly whereas he and Marilynn had been attending the well-known Crufts present.
Marilynn instructed the Advertiser how one lady participating within the occasion observed Robbie’s “amazing temperament” – and inspired her to register him as a Pets As Therapy canine.
Marilynn duly did so – and Robbie handed the examination with a rating of 100 per cent.
Marilynn then grew to become conscious of Canine Concern Scotland’s Therapet programme, and signed Robbie up right away.
He was examined once more, and once more he handed with a 100 per cent rating – and since then Robbie has been an lively Therapet throughout South Ayrshire.
He started supporting adults with studying difficulties in Girvan, earlier than finishing one other examination, which he handed with, you guessed it, 100 per cent – which means he was in a position to work with kids.
He has additionally labored at Ailsa Hospital, supporting sufferers throughout six wards and having an impression on numerous lives.
Marilynn instructed of 1 lady who so took to Robbie that she’d sit outdoors the hospital ready for him on the times he was as a consequence of go to.
Robbie made such an impression on that individual lady that he was requested to go to her funeral – as a result of she’d described him as “her best friend”.
The good Border collie has additionally supported kids at Carnegie Library in Ayr as they give the impression of being to advance their studying abilities, with Robbie’s visits and affection used to supply an incentive for the young individuals participating.
He visits faculties throughout Ayr and Troon, too, and has turn out to be a “best friend” to many kids of their instances of want.
And whereas he’s not all the time “on the clock”, Marilynn revealed that Robbis has sprung into motion to assist kids even when he’s not really working – and that on one event he actually saved a toddler’s life.
Marilynn described how she was out walking Robbie and two of her different dogs when a toddler, no older than two or three, got here racing previous on their scooter.
The scooter hit a puddle and the toddler was despatched flying over the handlebars – touchdown face down in a puddle of water and at severe danger of drowning.
“Superhero Robbie ran over to the kid,” Marilynn defined, “and put his head underneath the kid’s chin and lifted his head out of the water.
“Robbie then leaned again and placed the kid’s head underneath his chin on his chest and backed out of the puddle with them.
“When the kid’s eyes finally opened I anticipated a scream, however they simply smiled at Robbie.
“Robbie saved that youngster’s life. I didn’t say or do something. He had obtained there first and took the kid out of hazard of his personal instinct.
“I’ve no credit score. It’s simply his temperament.
“I have never seen anything in this life that fazes him. The intuition that Robbie displays in remarkable.”
And that wouldn’t be the final time that Robbie rushed in to guard young lives both.
Marilynn described how one other canine approached her and Robbie whereas they had been out on ‘therapet’ duties with a bunch of schoolchildren.
The different canine had run away from its proprietor and, in Marilynn’s phrases, was “growling and baring its teeth” and searching prefer it was about to attack the kids’s legs.
But up stepped her superhero Robbie, who obtained himself between the kids and the menace and fended off the opposite canine till the kids might walk a secure distance away.
“No aggression, just determination,” Marilynn added. “Robbie then backed away, facing down the dog, who ran back to its owner.”
Robbie’s intervention got here as no shock to Marilynn, who stated she is aware of it’s simply in his nature to guard kids.
“For him it’s not about cows and sheep,” Marilynn defined. “It’s human beings – that’s what he loves.
“Both instances I didn’t ask him for something. He selected to behave in that solution to shield the kids.
“He’s very protecting of young lives.
“He’s just my boy and I love him.”
