A lorry driver who couldn’t bear being away from his pet dog has been turning heads on Britain’s motorways by taking her to work every day – wearing her very own HI-VIS JACKET.
Sam Bloor, 58, has taken 10-year-old Tilly to work every day for the past year as he drives hundreds of miles up and down the country.
The adorable West Island Terrier even has her own high-visibility jacket, which she wears every trip for health and safety reasons.
And according to Sam, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs., Tilly has proved great company for his gruelling 12 hour shifts.
She patiently sits in the passenger seat of his cab looking out of the window as Sam delivers bricks and concrete on his 200 mile-a-day journeys.
He said: “I have to take Tilly to work with me as I am single and have no one to look after her at home – but I love it.
“I put her jacket on at 6am, she looks quite funny in it but she needs it for health and safety reasons, and then we both jump in the lorry and off we go until 6pm that evening.
“People love her, she’s so friendly and she loves the ride, she doesn’t go to sleep, she is quite a nosy dog so sticks her head out the window most of the time.
“Obviously on some days we hit a bit of traffic and if we pull up alongside a family with kids, they love her and she loves them, she’s just so friendly and great company.
“We’re together for 24 hours a day, we’re best mates, she is just like a child to me and is like a mascot for the firm.
“I’ve had her since she was born, I bred her, so we have a strong bond.
“But she isn’t just a delight to be with when she’s with me, all the guys at work love her too.
“She’s friendly to everyone and is just a ball of life.”
Terry Adnams, 54, the company director at CMR Demolition LTD, where Sam works said that the animal has proved a popular addition to the team.
He said: “Tilly is a very pleasant and small dog.
“She is very friendly and goes everywhere with Sam, she sits in the passenger seat and stays there all day.
“She doesn’t leave the vehicle and she’s not allowed on the site for health and safety reasons.
“So she just looks out the window in her little high-vis jacket and people seem to respond in a nice way to her.
“It is unusual, but it brings a smile to people’s faces when they see her.
“Tilly has been here for around 12 months now, he has brought her along since virtually his first day of work.
“However, she is somewhat of an exception, if other workers started bringing in their dogs and other pets we would have to stop it.
“We understand the reason for Sam bringing Tilly to work and we are fine with that.”
