A CARING cocker spaniel from the Tweed Valley has saved yet another life during a daring rescue.

Shadow plunged head-first into a fishing pond at the weekend to save a trapped duck.

He not only pulled it from the jaws of death, but guarded the poor bird until it made a recovery on dry land.

The eight-year-old wonder dog had already amassed a track record of saving other creatures before his latest heroics at Kailzie Gardens.

And owners, Jimmy and Jane Barrett, are now considering investing in a cape for their courageous canine.

Jane, who runs the shop near the Kailzie fishing pond, told the Peeblesshire News: “A lady from the Osprey viewing centre came down to say she had seen a duck trapped in an outlet pipe and it was in distress.

“Jimmy went down and saw the trapped duck - there was a lot of silt around the pipe and it couldn’t get out. He came back to get his waders but before he’d had a chance to put them on the lady came back to the shop to say the duck was now safe and Shadow had saved it.”

Shadow dived into the pond and pulled the bird free from the silt before leaving it to recover on a nearby lawn.

Jane and Jimmy, who have owned the dog since he was a three-month old puppy, have also witnessed him chase after a crow that had snatched a baby rabbit from the nearby putting green.

And after the bunny was dropped back to earth he carried it to the Barrett family home for safety.

Like the trapped duck, the rabbit made a full recovery.

Shadow also brought a baby nuthatch home, after it had fallen to the ground, for Jimmy to return it to the nest.

Jane added: “Shadow has always been a gentle dog and enjoys being around people.

“He knows when other animals are in trouble and wants to help them.

“We’ve been talking about getting him a cape - he is our superhero.”