WHILE the news is full of lockdown horror stories, there is no doubt how much fun Missy the rescue dog has had.

And that's all thanks to Ros Earthy, our Person of the Week. Ros is a volunteer with Cockermouth Emergency Response Group (CERG) and walked Missy every day for many months.

Her owner, Pauline Collins, 72, has COPD and was shielding throughout the first lockdown. She used to live in Cyprus, where she adopted Missy when she was two years old and living on the streets. When Pauline moved to Cockermouth a few years ago she brought Missy with her.

After 12 years of living together they are close allies. So when Pauline had to start shielding she was concerned about who would take out her much-loved dog.

Until she met Ros - and her husband Trevor, who were introduced to her through CERG. "I could not have been luckier, they are the nicest couple," said Pauline. "They fell in love with Missy and she fell in love with them. I had no worries at all about her going out with them. And I feel like I have new friends now. When Missy and I pass their house now she goes to the gate."

CERG also organised for volunteers to do her shopping. "I don' t know what I'd have done without this group, I would have been stuck," said Pauline.

The daily dog walking was a win-win situation as the Earthys had lost their dog, a Cocker Spaniel, shortly before.

"Missy is a lovely dog, we certainly did bond," said Ros. "And actually it was good for us to as it put some structure in our day, especially at the beginning when we were being advised not to go on the fells."

Ros and Trevor are both retired and keen fell walkers.

When Pauline was finally able to get out of the house she did her first walk with Ros. "She had not been out for a long time and so we walked together and she was able to see that people were social distancing which made her feel a lot better," said Ros.

In 2009 the Earthys were living in Hayton and helped support the flood victims in Cockemouth. By 2015 they had moved into Waterloo Street and were victims themselves. "We made use of the wonderful Bridge Cafe which was set up for us all, " said Ros. "It's been nice being able to do our bit to help, we know how important CERG is."