A well-earned rest for Shropshire guide dog Greg

But now "Gregarious Greg" the labrador is taking well-earned retirement while his owner is making sure he remains a part of the family.

Ken Whitcombe, 67, of Wellington, has been inseparable from his 10-and-a-half-year-old guide dog Greg for more than eight years, including numerous trips abroad.

Greg has now reached retirement age but Mr Whitcombe is determined that his faithful friend will not be sent off to a new home and is in fact going to become his wife Paula's pet.

Mr Whitcombe and Greg have been together since 2006, during which time the loyal labrador has been named an honorary Rotarian with Wellington Rotary Club, met the Lord Mayor of London and travelled the world on boats and planes.

During his time as Mr Whitcombe's guide dog Greg has not once put a foot wrong as he keeps his master safe – and even in touch with his friends.

Mr Whitcombe said: "Greg has worked for me for eight-and-a-half years and we have never in that time come to any harm.

"If we are going along and there is a problem and he cannot sort it out – bear in mind only one of us has eyes – then he will turn round and bring me home.

"But that has only ever happened twice so you can see what confidence I have in him.

"He is going nowhere, hence the reason he is becoming my wife's pet."

Mr Whitcombe said Greg has been nicknamed "Gregarious Greg" by his friends because of his friendly nature.

He said: "He's a loyal, gregarious dog.

"He is known in guide dog circles as 'Gregarious Greg' because he is such a friendly lad.

"The problem I have is being blind I walk down Wellington High Street and I would not know a soul.

"But Greg knows all my friends and if we see someone he takes me to them so I can meet people. He is more than a guide dog to me."

During his time guiding Mr Whitcombe Greg has accompanied his owner on holidays to Greenland, Greece "and everywhere in between".

His adventures have included seven journeys on aircraft and a number of cruises.

Mr Whitcombe said that Greg was a keen traveller with good sea legs who always looked forward to his trips abroad.

He said: "As soon as he sees a ship or an aeroplane his tail starts wagging and he is pulling at his lead, just wanting to get on."

Mr Whitcombe is in the process of getting a replacement guide dog and he warned they have a lot to live up to.

He said: "Guide dogs are incredible and this boy has left some very big paws for someone to follow."

As he is retiring Greg would normally have to be rehomed if Mr Whitcombe's wife were not able to take him on as a pet. He added: "I am very fortunate that I have a wife who is fit and able so we can keep Greg. He is more than a guide dog, he really is a family member."

Guide dogs usually retire from work at around 10 or 11 years of age because of age related health issues.

As a result dogs sometimes remain with their owners, family, or friends but if not possible The Guide Dogs charity will look to rehome the dogs to new owners, where they can enjoy their hard-earned retirement.