Manchester care home resident reunited with his beloved dog after two years

A man who has spent the past two years separated from his beloved dog has been reunited with his companion after moving to a new home in Wigan.

After 73-year-old Lawrence Knight was diagnosed with dementia, he was admitted to a care home in 2019 – but as dogs were not allowed in that home, his yellow Labrador, Millie, was put into a shelter.

Mr Knight had objected to the first home he was placed in, but had been assessed as lacking capacity to make decisions in respect of his residence and care.

But legal firm Irwin Mitchell were instructed to represent him, and after several hearings at the Court of Protection, secured new accommodation for him at Lakeside Nursing Home in Standish, where Millie could live with him once again.

Not only that, his legal team also ensured he has the use of a wheelchair again too, after he was mostly bed bound in his former care home.

Elizabeth Ridley – the specialist solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Mr Knight – said: “When Lawrence was admitted to the care home two years ago, he was extremely upset that he couldn’t bring Millie with him [and] after his wife passed away, he didn’t have many family or friends to visit him either

“So Millie was understandably of great importance to him.”

She continued: “Due to the pandemic, contact between Lawrence and Millie was sadly stopped, but now she and Lawrence are living right next to a lake where she can run about as much as she wants.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to reunite them in such a lovely new setting.

“It was heart-warming to bring them back together and nice to have some positive news during such difficult times for all.”

Gail Howard – the manager of Lakeside Nursing Home in Standish – added: “Millie has become part of the Lakeside family since coming here, and brings happiness to all the residents in the home.”

Featured Image – Irwin Mitchell