A WELL-known and much-loved assistance dog has died of cancer at the age of 12.

Black Labrador Yates, who spent his life helping disabled Harnham woman Jill Brown, died peacefully at home on New Year’s Eve.

A familiar face around the city, Yates went everywhere with Jill, helping her dress and undress, fetching things, opening and closing gates, picking up the post and much more besides.

“He was just a constant companion,” said Jill, who lives with the incurable muscle-wasting disease progressive neuropathic myopathy.

Jill said popular Yates had given her independence and confidence, and made her feel complete.

“He was gorgeous and very loveable but quite cheeky,” she said “He was very fun; he made me laugh.”

When the time came, Jill said Yates had taken matters into his own hands, dying before the vet needed to administer any drugs.

Now, Jill’s life has become much more difficult, and she could have to wait three months for charity Dogs for the Disabled to find her a successor.

“He’s been my life really for the last 11 years and he helped me constantly throughout the day,” said Jill. “I’m just on my own really.

“The house seems empty. It’s horrible.”

Since Yates died, Jill says her energy levels have been depleted and she has been in more pain than usual, as she now has to manage without his help.

“He’s just been a part of me to be honest.

“It feels like I have lost a limb. It’s difficult getting dressed and undressed without him,” she said. “Yates enriched my life tremendously and I don’t feel a whole person without him.

“I never felt alone at home when I had him.”

Over the last 11 years, Jill has been writing the story book Yates’ Adventures, which is a work in progress.

“I realised what a wonderful dog he was,” she said. “He had such spirit.

“He made us so many friends just by his happy, wagging tail.”