Close-up of a black Labrador dog wearing an red collar, with text overlay that reads “New YouTube Channel with Alfie the Black Lab” on a white background with coral geometric designs.

Meet Alfie: The Black Labrador Who’s Stealing Hearts on YouTube

Say hello to Alfie, a beautiful Black Labrador from Liverpool who’s not just a pet—he’s family, a best friend, and a true companion in every sense of the word.

At 8 years old (turning 9 in 2025), Alfie has become a lifeline for his Nanna, Alisha, who lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), a complex chronic illness that has left her completely bedridden. Through the toughest days, Alfie is right by her side—offering love, laughter, and an unspoken understanding.

🖤 “He just knows,” says Alisha. “He’s calm and gentle with me, but cheeky and full of energy with my husband. He walks slowly by my side, waits on the stairs, and checks on me through the night. It’s like he’s my guardian in dog form.”

Despite the challenges of life with M.E., Alisha is learning everything from scratch to share their story online. 💻 “Back in my school days, computers were black screens with green text,” she laughs. “Now I’m teaching myself how to edit, upload, and connect—bit by bit.”

✨ This year, Alisha is determined to share more of their journey—highlighting the bond between a woman living with chronic illness and her extraordinary dog. She’s launched a YouTube channel filled with sweet, funny, and heartfelt moments from their life together.

🐶 If you love Labradors, dog content, or stories of resilience and love, you’re going to fall in love with Alfie too.
Support us by following Alfie’s adventures and subscribing to our channels—it means the world to us. 💕

📍 Follow Alfie here:
📸 Instagram: @alfiewtheblacklab
📘 Facebook: Life With A Black Lab
🎵 TikTok: @alfietheblacklabrador
▶️ YouTube: Alisha & Alfie

🎥 Check out our latest video – it’s adorable and guaranteed to make you smile:
👉 Watch Now on YouTube

Let’s celebrate the magic of dogs who change lives, one wag at a time. 🐾


#BlackLabrador #DogLoversUK #LifeWithME #ChronicIllnessWarrior #SupportDogs #EmotionalSupportAnimal #LabLife #LabradorLove #DogsofInstagram #LiverpoolDogs #MyChronicLife #DisabledAndProud #LifeWithAChronicIllness #AlfieTheBlackLab

Picture of Alisha Whittam

Alisha Whittam

Alisha Whittam is a disability advocate, blogger, and founder of The Ability Alliance. Based in Liverpool, she shares her life with severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, raising awareness and supporting others through raw storytelling, honest reviews, and community-driven campaigns.
Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Tiktok Pinterest
Click to shop my Amazon Storefront
A Disney-style cartoon illustration of a dark-haired woman with blue eyes sitting on a bed, writing in a notebook. She is surrounded by a laptop, scattered notes, and a microphone. Two black Labradors, one with a red collar, sit beside her, while a camera records the scene
Visit my YouTube Channel

More Blog Posts

Illustrated promotional graphic for Purpl, a UK discount platform for disabled people. Membership is currently available at a reduced price of £4.99 for the first year, giving access to savings across 300+ brands.

💜 Purpl Discounts: Only £4.99 for a Year – A Game-Changer for Disabled People in the UK

Looking to save money as a disabled person in the UK? Purpl offers exclusive discounts on groceries, fashion, tech and more — and right now, your first year is completely free. Join over 70,000+ members and unlock deals from over 300 inclusive brands.
Read more
Bride and groom kissing while seated on a tree stump with the Colosseum in the background.

Rome: The Trip That Still Lives in My Heart

Nineteen years ago, I married the love of my life in Rome. We had plans to return — just the two of us — until life, illness, and a pandemic got in the way. This is the story of our city, our heartbreak, and the dream I still hold close.
Read more
Illustration of a woman in pain from menstrual cramps with a checklist titled “Help me Feel Better” listing comfort tips like using a hot water bottle and peppermint tea.

Periods and Heavy Bleeding: The True Cost of Managing Menstruation with Endometriosis

Living with Endometriosis means heavy, painful periods—and hidden costs most people never talk about. From maternity pads to ruined bedding, here’s what’s helped me feel protected, stay comfortable, and take back a little control.
Read more
Pink and purple speech bubble with the words: Time for a serious talk.

Silence Saves: Why We Need Quiet Spaces in Hospitals – An ME Awareness Week Story

Many UK hospitals still lack sensory-friendly spaces — even though 1 in 5 people live with a disability, and over 400,000 have ME/CFS. This ME Awareness Week, I’m sharing my personal story to show why quiet rooms aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity.
Read more
A cheerful graphic for “ME Pyjama Party 2025” featuring colourful balloons and six people in playful animal-themed pyjamas including a giraffe, panda, unicorn, polka-dot sleeper, dragon, and bear. The background is cream with pastel purple text.

ME Pyjama Party

Join the ME Pyjama Party 2025 this ME Awareness Week and show your support for people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Pop on your pyjamas, snap a photo, and share it online using #MEPJParty to raise awareness and spread comfort, visibility, and community.
Read more
Flat lay of chronic illness hospital grab bag essentials including Beis Weekender bag, pill organiser, Radar key, lip balm, ear defenders, and more on a gradient sky background with "What’s in my bag" title.

What’s in my bag?

Ever wondered what essentials I carry with me every day? From must-have gadgets to personal comfort items, I've laid it all out in my latest blog post. Whether you're curious about daily necessities or looking for inspiration to organize your own bag, this post has something for you.
Read more

What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

According to the NHS Website, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness

For more information please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/

People with ME/CFS have fatigue that is very different from just being tired. The fatigue of ME/CFS:

  • Can be severe.
  • Is not a result of unusually difficult activity.
  • Is not relieved by sleep or rest.
  • Was not a problem before becoming ill (not life-long)

Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before illness. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

Sleep problems.

Many but not all people with ME/CFS have other symptoms.

Pain is very common in people with ME/CFS. The type of pain, where it occurs, and how bad it is varies a lot. The pain people with ME/CFS feel is not caused by an injury. The most common types of pain in ME/CFS are:

  • Muscle pain and aches
  • Joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches, either new or worsening

Some people with ME/CFS may also have:

  • Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
  • A sore throat that happens often
  • Digestive issues, like irritable bowel syndrome
  • Chills and night sweats
  • Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, light, or noise
  • Muscle weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
Information is taken from The CDC Website https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis does not have a cure.

Find a Dr or Consultant who listens to you is the first step

It is a manageable condition and depending on the severity of your symptoms the more difficult this can become.

I advise learning to listen to your body and what it is telling you. If you feel tired rest and if you feel pain find a solution to reduce that pain, this could be through pain medication prescribed by your Dr.

I am not saying that finding a Dr who listens or listening to your body is going to be easy as this illness is incredibly complex for some and manageable for others.

Having a Dr who listens to you or reads about the latest drug that sufferers are recommending can take a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety from the sufferer.

It would be best for me to point you to the above question What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis? 

Most pages list the illness as ME/CFS or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or sometimes even Systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID).

Get Updates In Your Inbox !

Sign up with email to receive news & updates.

Menu

Recent Blog Posts

Important