Beauty is Little Lily's Hero Dog

Labrador has helped her owners through the hardest of times

Lily Bellamy and Beauty
Author: Claire PearsonPublished 23rd Feb 2023

A Labrador from Swansea who has seen her owners through the hardest times, including supporting the youngest family member who has leukaemia, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award.

Two-year-old Beauty the Labrador, named as the finalist in the Best Friends category of The Kennel Club award, has helped her owners after the youngest member of the family, Lily, aged 11, was diagnosed with leukaemia, and her dad, Wayne, suffered worsening epilepsy seizures.

Beauty is the only member of the family who can make Lily laugh when she is undergoing weekly chemotherapy, or taking steroids which can really impact her mood. And when Wayne’s epilepsy worsened with the pressure and stress of the situation with Lily, Beauty has been able to sense what is happening and barks to alert Wayne and the family before the onset of a seizure.

On numerous occasions she has even put herself in the way, to break his fall, which have meant fewer hospital visits for stitches or head injuries, and less stress and worry during what is already a difficult time for the whole family.

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society.

Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC, and on Channel 4, on the final day of Crufts, on Sunday 12 March.

The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake. These heroic teams will be specially recognised at Crufts for their bravery and dedication.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity.

The public can now watch each of the finalist’s stories, including Beauty’s, in specially-made videos, and vote for their Hero Dog 2023, until 4pm on Sunday 12 March, by visiting www.crufts.org.uk/herodogaward

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