A DOG rescued by a New Forest woman has transformed into an agility star, with a helping hand from a local veterinary practice.
Rescue pup Dottie was found wandering the streets of Limerick, Ireland, aged just eight months and was adopted by Hythe resident Linda Evans.
Nine years later and the pair have achieved countless successes in the sport of dog agility, where handlers and their canine companions negotiate an obstacle course at lightning pace.
Linda and Dottie — a Jack Russell cross — have won several national finals, and even competed at Crufts and Olympia International Show in London.
This year they were selected to compete for Great Britain for the first time at the World Agility Championships, held in Italy last month.
Although a last-minute injury meant Dottie was unable to compete, the pair are still aiming for several prestigious events in 2018, including the Olympia International semifinals in August at Rockingham Castle, Northants.
Linda has been supported with Dottie’s care by Seadown Vets in Hythe, and the practice stepped in to sponsor the entire GB team for the World Championships. Linda told the A&T: “Who’d have thought a £90 rescue from Ireland would have developed into such a little star. I am so thrilled with her.
“The beauty of agility is that it showcases relationship and talent. It’s open to everyone at every level and isn’t about having a pedigree dog. “Dottie is so special to me but we could not have achieved anything without the amazing support of the all the special vets at Seadown, especially Rita Mesquita.
When no one else would come forward to sponsor me, it was a mark of true loyalty, trust and a wonderful relationship that they helped me and the team. “In the meantime, for Dottie, agility is just a game we play a couple of times a week — when we’re not out on the Forest, finding smelly stuff to roll in!”
Practice director Kate McMorris, who is pictured (centre) with colleague Rita Mesquita, said: “Seadown were honoured to be sponsoring the GB agility team by providing their new shirts. “Linda has been a longstanding client of ours, and when she approached us, we were very happy to help Dottie, who after a hard start in life has proved to be a little star.”