A devoted Burnham-On-Sea dog owner hopes her very special pet will win a top award at Crufts after reaching the final round of the prestigious event – and YOUR help is needed to make him a winner.
Vanessa Holbrow – known to many in Burnham as Ness – says her re-homed Border Terrier, called Sir Jack Spratticus, has “saved her life” after helping her overcome various health problems.
“The news that Jack has got to Crufts is astonishing and so wonderful – I’m lost for words,” Ness told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week. “Jack has been a Godsend for me and has had a huge impact on my life.”
Sir Jack has helped Ness recover from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD), Dissociative Disorders (DD) and an eating disorder.
“Jack deserves to be at Crufts – his journey from a rescue dog is extraordinary. I rehomed him at 13 months and I was his fourth home. He was a considerable challenge initially because of his agressive behaviour.”
“We spent many weeks in dog training classes and we even had to go in a broom cupboard initially because of Jack’s terrible behaviour. He had a lot to learn.”
“Since then, he’s become a wonderful pet and an incredibly special loving companion for me.”
“He’s had to cope with long breaks away from me while I have been in hospital, but he has been there to help me recover. He’s taught me what love is.”
“He’s such a wonderully friendly dog who’s loved by a lot of people in Burnham-On-Sea.”
“We found Canine Generated Independence last year and he’s now training to be my assistance dog.”
Ness says her hopes are high for success at Crufts. “It would be lovely for Jack to win, but every dog will be a winner – the stories in this category are all truly wonderful.”
Jack is among five rescue dogs who are up for the Crufts’ 2018 Friends for Life award, which shines a light on VIP dogs who play a leading role in helping people battle adversity.
Members of the public can vote for the top prize winner here before the results will be announced at Crufts in Birmingham on Sunday, March 11th.
Selected from over 300 applicants by judges from The Kennel Club, each of the finalists have been chosen from five distinct categories before being entered for an all-important public vote to name the top dog at an awards ceremony.
The winner will receive £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, and other finalists will also receive £1,000 towards their own canine charities.
Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko said: “Friends For Life is an opportunity to celebrate these dogs that quietly go about changing people’s lives in their own unique and special way.”
Members of the public can vote for the top prize winner here.
