AS THE saying goes, a dog is for life and not just Christmas.

And so it has proved for seven-year-old William Milne, who has been transformed in the past 12 months thanks to the influence of his furry friend.

Last Christmas, the Advertiser told the heartwarming story of how the Starlight Children's Foundation had donated Golden Retriever Oliver to autism sufferer William, who had endured dozens of painful operations in his short life.

One year on and William is a changed child – he is eating properly for the first time, made new friends and has curbed his violent outbursts – all thanks to his new pal.

His mum Sarah, of Capri Road, Addiscombe, said: "The difference has been massive – he's like a different child.

"William used to have so many meltdowns at home.

"He used to sit on my knee and punch me on the back.

"It would happen several times a day and now it's only about twice a month."

William's autism means he needs constant sensory stimulation to keep him calm.

Sarah, 41, added: "William can lie beside Oliver and get all that sensory stimulation from him.

"Oliver calms him down and if he is doing something he shouldn't, I'll say 'Oliver will be upset if you do that' and he stops.

"When William gets home from school the first thing he does is sit down with Oliver to watch TV – they are best friends.

"Oliver helps him organise his thoughts and now he's thinking about the positive side of having friends.

"This was the first year ever he wanted a birthday party."

William has been through 41 operations in his short life, suffered intestinal failure and a bowel transplant in 2008 which meant he had to be fed through a tube to his heart.

But when he was well enough to eat normally, he struggled because of his autism.

Sarah says Oliver has also helped to improve William's relationship with his sisters; Hope, 15, and Ellie, 12.

She added: "William has started eating for the first time this year – all because of Oliver.

"It's really changed life for the whole family too.

"We've been ice skating, something we could never have done last year.

"Now the whole family can do things together."

Sarah writes a blog about the family's experiences.

To follow their adventures visit the website www.oliver andwills.co.uk