A CHAMPION show dog who brings joy to hospital patients in Inverclyde is on maternity leave — after giving birth to eight pups.

Arwen, who is aged seven, has spent years on the rounds in both Inverclyde Royal and Ravenscraig, as well as visiting care homes helping patients with long term illnesses like dementia.

Her owner former, Greenock police sergeant Willie Shaw, joins her to spend time with people with dementia and other long stay patients.

But in the last few weeks they have been on call round the clock to look after Arwen’s adorable litter.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Arwen has competed at Crufts and has a number of titles to her name.

Retired police officer Willie said: “She has fantastic nature which is why she has been so amazing in the hospitals.

Arwen was even nominated for an award.

“All the patients love her and we are hoping to take her pups in to meet them. We love volunteering in the hospital but we will give her a wee break for a while, because she has been very busy.

“She is a fantastic mum.”

Arwen is the pride and joy of both Willie and his wife Margaret, who runs the Greenock and District Kennel Association and takes her to the shows to compete.

It’s been all hands on deck for them with the pups, who are now six weeks old.

Willie added: “For the first few weeks we had no sleep and we were never over the door.

“Now they all have amazing wee personalities and are always up to mischief.”

Both Willie and Margaret hand reared the tiniest pup in the litter, Dolly.

Willie said: “She was tiny and we had to feed her ourselves. But now she is strong and healthy.”

Willie used to take Arwen into Newark Care Home to visit his mother-in-law and she had an incredible impact on everyone in there.

Soon they were in demand at the IRH and Ravenscraig as well.

Now Willie and Margaret are trying to find homes for all their pups.

Willie added: “We will be looking at keeping one ourselves.”