WHEN Chris Halloran damaged a disc in his spine and needed major surgery, he had to spend months flat out on his lounge floor recuperating.

But, each day, he had a constant companion in his pet dog, Billy, who lay happily beside him.

For the seven-year-old dog knew how Chris felt. Just months earlier, he had suffered exactly the same injury and, as a result, lost the use of both his back legs.

But, while IT consultant Chris, aged 39, has almost completey recovered, Billy is now disabled and has to drag himself around the house, or turn “walkies” into “wheelies” with the help of a metal frame.

Chris said: “I was really uncomfortable and in pain and the only thing I could do was lie on the floor.

“But as soon as I started doing this, Billy shuffled up next to me and lay with me for hours. It was just like he understood how I felt because he’d been there. He was sympathising and wanted to make me feel better.”

Chris has recovered and is now back at work.

And Billy enjoys using the special £365 wheeled aluminium frame that his owners bought to let him get out and about each day.