Pet dog's vigil for injured owner

Eric and Maureen Porter adopted Pedro from a rescue centre

The husband of a pensioner whose border collie stayed with her for 18 hours after she fell and broke her hip has said the dog saved her life.

Maureen Porter, 69, was home alone in Cenarth, Ceredigion, when she slipped and - with husband Eric in London - could not call anyone for help.

But her dog Pedro heard her and stayed with Mrs Porter throughout the night.

She was found after Mr Porter asked a neighbour to pop round because there was no answer on their phone.

The spot where Mrs Porter had fallen in her cottage garden was too far from neighbours' homes for them to hear her calling.

It would have been a different story if Pedro hadn't been there. He saved her life Eric Porter

Fifteen-year-old Pedro stayed by her side to keep her warm overnight and was still there when village shopkeeper Pat Milner found Mrs Porter lying on the ground the next morning.

Mrs Milner said: "I had trouble pulling Pedro away from Maureen - he just didn't want to leave her side.

"She was cold and unwell. I dread to think what would have happened but for that dog."

Mrs Porter was taken to hospital and is now waiting for an operation on her injured hip.

Mr Porter became concerned when his wife did not answer the phone

Her husband, Eric, said: "Maureen was hoarse from calling for help and had dirt under her finger nails from trying to move.

"It was very dark and cold throughout the night and she could hear owls and foxes nearby. But Pedro made sure she was safe and warm.

"He is a brilliant dog and very loyal," Mr Porter added.

"We got him from a rescue centre 10 years ago and he follows Maureen everywhere.

"It would have been a different story if Pedro hadn't been there. He saved her life."