THE Lake District’s oldest search and rescue dog is finally putting her paws up after a very busy eleven years.

Skye, the tri-coloured border collie, has retired at the age of fourteen and a half after completing her final mission on September 11.

The hardworking canine began her career as a puppy with Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, she then worked as a trainee and graded searchdog with Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team before joining Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team and then Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.

Skye’s handler John Leadbetter paid tribute to his companion on a post on Lake District Mountain Rescue Searchdogs Facebook page.

He said: “Like so many fellow handlers it is one of the hardest decisions ever to make, to retire your searchdog from the callout list, to hang up her search jacket after eleven years as a graded searchdog.

“Not easy with a dog who would still love to be out there and searching, but although the head and heart are willing, the body is decidedly weaker and searching takes too much of a toll nowadays.”

Not only has Skye aided with searches within the Lake District, but also Lancashire, the Pennines and Scotland. She has been an ambassador for the Lake District Search Dogs, with sponsors Burns Pet Nutrition and has demonstrated her skills to the International Rescue Dog Organisation.

“Thank you to all those people who have hid, advised, helped and generally made her life as a search dog a succession of brilliant adventures,” added Mr Leadbetter.

“Well done, Skye for all your loyalty, faithful work and support, my mountain companion, my special girl.

“Here’s to a happy and full-filled retirement full of fun, exploration, enjoying the hills.”