David Blunkett's trusted guide dog, Sadie, who was by his side for more than nine years, has died.
The black curly-coated retriever cross had a rare illness and was put down on Monday, the former home secretary told the Daily Mail.
"Sadie was coming up to 12 years old and I had hoped she would have a couple of years retirement but it was not to be," he said. "She had been ill for two or three weeks and the vet told me it was a deteriorating situation."
Sadie could not eat or breathe properly due to a condition affecting her gullet and fluid collected in her lungs as a result.
She succeeded her half-sister Lucy as Blunkett's companion, eventually retiring to the countryside eight months ago.
When they parted, the former home secretary said he had a heavy heart, describing her as his "left leg". During her years of service she met the Queen and had her ears scratched by George W Bush.
In 2009, Blunkett broke a rib after being trampled by a charging cow in the Peak District while trying to protect his companion from the beast.
Sadie was his fifth guide dog. She was replaced by Cosby, another black curly-coated retriever cross.