WHEN Jenny Hogan’s cocker spaniel Trudy disappeared during a walk at Eynsham Fishponds on July 31 her owner feared the worst.

But 12-year-old Oli Hewitt came to the rescue when he found the pooch in a drain, struggling to keep her head above water.

Mrs Hogan, a health visitor from Eynsham, said if it wasn’t for his quick thinking, her pet would not have survived.

She said: “We were out for a walk as usual and Trudy ran off as she often does but this time I couldn’t find her again.

“We looked for her for half an hour and had no luck and then I came across Oli and his mum Michelle.

“He found a small gap in a six foot fence near where she had last been seen and then he heard a snuffling sound in among a mass of nettles.

“He found Trudy trapped in a large drain about two or three feet deep, struggling to keep her head above the water.”

With the help of Oli and his mother, Mrs Hogan managed to pull Trudy out of the drain to safety.

Oli, who is a pupil at Bartholomew School, Eynsham, said: “I was a bit frightened when I was looking for her but I really wanted to make sure she was alright.

“When I found her I felt really proud and happy. Mrs Hogan said I’d saved Trudy’s life and she didn’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t come along.

“She came around later and gave me a card, chocolates and some money as a reward.”

He added: “I really love dogs and I have a boxer called Margo.

“I have seen Trudy around before and she’s a lovely, playful dog so I’m really pleased she’s alright.”

Trudy, five, helps Mrs Hogan raise money for the Medical Detection Dogs charity by attending fundraising events and joining in with collections.

Medical detection dogs help people with life-threatening illnesses by being trained to identify the odour changes associated with medical events such as diabetic seizures.

Trudy was training to be an assistance dog but failed because her sense of smell was too strong and she kept running off.

Mrs Hogan said: “She was back at work within two days, and I have Oli to thank for it.

“He is a lovely boy and he has a very generous heart.

“If he hadn’t found Trudy she wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale and I’m just so grateful to him for all his help.”

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