A FATHER whose son died along with a brave family pet in a freak fishing accident has described how his new dog had helped him come to terms with the loss.

John Brodie, formerly of Blackburn Road, Haslingden, spoke out as he had new pet Labrador Baz microchipped by the National Canine Defence League to ensure he will never be lost.

The animal has rarely been away from his side since the accident off the coast of North Wales in August 1997, when John's son Charles, 22, and family pet Ben were lost at sea.

The cross-bred Alsatian was on a fishing trip with John and Charles in a 16ft boat bought for Charles' birthday and named Chaz's Dream.

But the trip turned to tragedy when a freak wave caused the boat to capsize. Ben, who was afraid of water, pulled John and Charles towards the shore for four-and-a-half hours but disappeared under the water.

Charles tried to swim to shore but the water also claimed his life.

John, now of Scout Road, Waterfoot, was rescued more than 21 hours later still clinging on to the bright green waders Charles had inflated as the boat went down.

Shortly after the tragedy John got Baz and named him to combine memories of Ben and Chaz.

The cross-bred Labrador has helped John come to terms with his loss.

John, 49, said: "Baz was about three months old when we got him and he is always with me. If I go out in the car, wherever I go, there he is.

"He is so loveable and if I ever sit down and start to get fed up he wants to play and he is a proper baby, a proper little boy and he keeps me going.

"He has lots of teddies and even a dummy. Baz has been something to help me cope with what happened and something fresh and lively.

"He is more like a human than a dog."

Charles -- known as Charlie or Chaz -- had planned to go to nautical school and wanted to be a skipper. A former Haslingden High School pupil, John said he was a good swimmer and would have probably done well in the job.

John's wife Barbara has never really come to terms with losing her son and still hopes that one day he will walk back into their home.

Twin sister Charlotte has also found it hard to cope and John said she still gets upset at times.

A week after the accident John was allowed out of Bangor Hospital and together with Barbara the couple spent weeks searching the beaches looking for Charles.

At one point they thought they saw a body and John was just about to jump in when the shape raised its head -- but their hopes were dashed when they realised it was a seal.

Charles' body was discovered washed ashore on September 15 but it was three months before Ben was discovered in Cumbria, still wearing his collar and tag.

Ben was posthumously honoured with a top bravery award from the National Canine Defence League. A monument to him has been erected in Brynford pet cemetery in north Wales.