| Dogs
Trust Honours 2009
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Cold
Wet Noses Sweep The Board At Doggy Oscars
Crossbreed, Maisy, awarded “Top Dog” gong at
Dogs Trust Honours 2009 |
Celebrity dog lovers came out in force on 19th May 2009, to pay
tribute to the courageous canine winners of The Dogs Trust Honours
2009 www.dogstrusthonours.co.uk,
in association with MedicAnimal.com
The
stars of the night were the dogs themselves: hearing dog
Thelma who saved her owner’s life, Maisy who supports
her owner with breast cancer, Tinker who helped two generations
cope with bereavement and human, Pen Farthing, who rescued
stray dogs whilst serving in Afghanistan. Border Collie,
Skye, added a touch of football fever to the evening as
she wowed guests with her skills. However, it was Maisy
who was the overall winner on the night, being awarded the
top Top Dog Award 2009. |
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A giant topiary dog, a golden pawprint carpet, a man size dog kennel
as well as the rescue dogs themselves greeted guests at London’s
Hurlingham Club as celebrities including: Ben Fogle, Jenni Falconer,
Camilla Dallerup, Dr Christian Jessen and Lorraine Kelly arrived
to present awards.
Dog lover and presenter of The Golden Oldie Award, Ben Fogle, comments:
“I was delighted to present The Golden Oldie Award for
The Dogs Trust Honours 2009 - what an amazing night. It isn’t
everyday that you are surrounded by a room full of superhero dogs.
If only every awards ceremony could be like this - ego free and
somewhere where hairy legs can be celebrated!”
Now in its second year, this year’s Dogs Trust Honours were
co-hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith and Penny the Pug. Dedicated
to celebrating the wonderful relationship between man and dog, over
250 nominations were received from across the country and celebrity
judges including Paul O’Grady, Kirsty Gallacher and TV presenter
Kate Humble were tasked with selecting the winners in five categories.
Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, comments:
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we heard
their amazing stories, proving that dogs really are man’s
best friend. Heroes certainly come in all shapes and sizes, and
tonight they came in the form of two crossbreeds, a Border Collie,
a Terrier and a former Royal Marine Sergeant.”
Other guests on the night included Katya and Ruslan Fomichev, Lisa
B, Tamara Ecclestone and Robert Montague, Hannah Sandling, Raef
Bjayou, Simon Sieff, Claire Sweeney, Linda Barker, Trinny Woodall
and Susannah Constantine.
The Winners' Stories
The Sun Hero Dog Award
Presented by Lorraine Kelly
This is the award for working dogs who contribute to community life
by caring for, protecting and serving their human companions and
colleagues. The winner has been chosen by readers of The Sun.
Thelma, an 8 year old Crossbreed from Plymouth
Thelma’s owner, Chris Goard, nominated her for the assistance
that she has given both he and his wife since she was selected for
them by Hearing Dogs for The Deaf. Chris is deaf and has severely
restricted mobility, relying on a wheelchair to get about, while
his wife, Eileen, suffers with regular epileptic seizures. When
Eileen had a very severe seizure in the bathroom, Thelma saved her
life by immediately running downstairs to alert Chris. Thelma's
instant reaction was the key to ensuring Eileen's seizure was not
fatal.
The Dogs Trust Rex Factor Award
Presented by Camilla Dallerup with dog Sven
The award for a uniquely talented dog who can perform an array of
stunning canine stunts. Watch the screen and prepare to be amazed
by their fancy paw work.
Skye, an 8 year old Border Collie from Newbury, Berkshire
Skye's owner, Susan Bobrucki, says: “Skye is our very own
‘Ronaldog’! She even watches Manchester United matches
on TV with the rest of the family. She’s honed her skills
over the years and has learnt shimmies, back-heels and goal scoring!”
The Dogs Trust Dog's Best Friend Award
Presented by Jenni Falconer
This is the award for a special human who has gone the extra mile
for dogs, either through fundraising, rescuing or rehoming abandoned
dogs.
Pen Farthing, of Plymouth, Devon
Pen has been nominated because of his work rescuing abandoned dogs
in Nowzad, Afghanistan. As a Royal Marine, Sergeant Pen Farthing
found many stray dogs in Afghanistan struggling to survive in the
harsh conditions. He led a small group of Marines in feeding and
caring for the few dogs that had found their way into camp. Pen
returned to the UK in 2007 and eventually adopted two of the dogs
he had cared for in Afghanistan. His experiences led him to found
the charity Nowzad Dogs, through which he brings dogs from the region
to the UK so they can be found loving new homes.
The Dogs Trust Dogged Devotion Award
Presented by Dr Christian Jessen
This award recognises the achievements of ordinary dogs who, without
having had special training, provide a better quality of life for
their owners who are living through challenging times.
Maisy, a 1 year old crossbreed from Harrogate
Maisy’s owner, Yvonne Lofthouse, nominated Maisy because she
is helping her through extremely difficult times, including battling
breast cancer, which has now spread to her liver and lungs. Yvonne
says Maisy is the reason she gets up in the morning and carries
on fighting. Yvonne reckons Maisy is far better than any anti-depressant.
The Medichem Golden Oldie Award
Sponsored by Medichem, presented by Ben Fogle
This is the award for former Dogs Trust residents, (over seven years
old), who have achieved an extraordinary amount in their lifetime.
Tinker, a 12 year old Terrier from Darlington
Tinker’s owner, Gill Crawford, nominated him for the excellent
emotional support he gave her during a very difficult period in
her life. Gill’s father originally adopted Tinker from Dogs
Trust Darlington, and he helped him through his bereavement when
he became a widower. Tinker then went on to provide comfort for
Gill when her father died, and finally, he was her hairy rock once
more when Gill went through a painful divorce.
The
Dogs Trust Top Dog Award
Presented
by Dogs Trust president, The Marchioness of Northampton,
and Andrew Bucher of MedicAnimal.com
Guests on the night voted for their favourite winner to
be the very top Top Dog. They chose Maisy, the one year
old crossbreed and winner of The Dogs Trust Dogged Devotion
Award. |
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