A STONE woman who suffered with anxiety and depression found happiness training a rescue dog and has been selected to take part in a demonstration today at Crufts.
Caroline Harvey said: “Before I didn’t want to go out the house but Daisy has changed all that, I love taking her out and it’s great to see her so happy wagging her little tail.”
Caroline Harvey’s furry companion had a rather unorthodox start to life on the Crufts stage, she was found in a cardboard box outside Lidl supermarket.
She was named ‘Lidl’ by the rescue centre but Caroline has since renamed her ‘Daisy’.
Caroline said: “She is my beautiful little flower so the named seemed to fit well, she has given me so much and now I want to give her something back.”
Daisy’s rag to riches story is even more remarkable as she isn’t the usual Cruft’s model; she is a cross breed between a Staffy and a Jack Russel.
Caroline has been training Daisy at Benefit Dog Training with the Chief Executive David Deakin, he said: “Caroline had always dreamed of going to Crufts but I didn’t think it was possible as Daisy is not a pedigree it’s great to see they are taking on dogs from all different backgrounds.”
Daisy has been training in a new obedience course called a ‘Rally’; the course has different markers at intervals, where the dog must demonstrate a range of skills from sitting and waiting, to turning left and right.
Caroline attended a competition for ‘Rallying’ in Witchurch early this year,where she was put through to the Crufts demonstration team in the first trial.
Caroline said she was really surprised to be put through as they had only been practicing the rally course for a month.
Daisy is now in the process under going her beauty régime in time for Sunday’s demonstration, she has had her nails clipped and is preparing to be bathed and groomed.
She will be on the main stage in the dog’s activity ring today at the NEC in Birmingham.
