The Dogs Trust Honours 2009 was a tremendous and glittering success as celebrity dog lovers came out in force to pay tribute to the courageous canine winners.
A giant topiary dog, a golden pawprint carpet, a man size dog kennel as well “Fluffles” the rescue puppy greeted guests at London’s Hurlingham Club as celebrities including: Ben Fogle with dogs Maggi and Inca, Jenni Falconer with dog Alfie, Camilla Dallerup with dog Sven, Dr Christian Jessen with dog Bruno and Lorraine Kelly arrived to present awards.
Over 250 nominations were received from across the UK and celebrity judges including Paul O’Grady, Kirsty Gallacher and TV presenter Kate Humble were tasked with selecting the winners in five categories.
Other celebrity guests on the night included Katya and Ruslan Fomichev, Lisa B, Tamara Ecclestone and Robert Montague with dog Hob Nob, Hannah Sandling, Raef Bjayou, Simon Sieff, Claire Sweeney, Linda Barker and dog Tiger Lily, Trinny Woodall and Dogs Trust rescue dog Poppy and Susannah Constantine. The awards were co-hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith and Penny the Pug.
The stars of the night were the dogs themselves and the winners and runners up were:
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.
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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.
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Charco’s handler, Neil Powell, nominated him for saving the life of a man buried for 36 hours in the rubble of his house following the earthquakes in Kashmir. Charco worked in extremely dangerous conditions but never once refused to do what was asked of him. He has also carried out search missions in Algeria and Northern Ireland.
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Caesar’s owner, Wendy Morrell, nominated him for the support he has given her since a sports accident in 1989 left her with severe brain and neck injuries. Caesar is a ‘Dogs For the Disabled’ assistance dog and has been trained to help Wendy around the home, thus allowing her to lead a more independent life. He also has the ability to pick up on the signs that she is about to have an epileptic fit, giving her time to get to a safe place.
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Bracken’s owner, Pete Shaw, nominated her for saving five lives during the course of her long career as a Mountain Rescue Search Dog. She has also searched and found numerous injured people as part of her work. Bracken has now retired but continues to help Pete with fundraising and remains his best friend.
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Anya’s handler, PC Neil Sampson, nominated her for her courageous actions in saving his life following a knife attack. Anya sustained chest injuries in the incident but continued to fight off the attacker, thus saving PC Sampson and his four colleagues from further injuries.
Dogs Trust Dogged Devotion Award
The award to recognise the achievements of ordinary ‘Joe Bloggs’ dogs who, without training, help provide a better quality of life for their owners who have been going through difficult times
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At the age of 33 years Maisy’s owner was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer that has now spread to her liver and lungs.
Despite worrying about leaving her husband with the responsibility of looking after a new dog, she finally decided to take on a rescue dog after losing her 18 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Maisy was originally called Angel and she is the reason her owner gets up in the morning and carries on fighting. Maisy makes her laugh - better than any anti-depressant.
Maisy opens new doors and lifts her mood - she has seen a drastic improvement in her health and wellbeing.
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Zeus helped his owner through her separation and facial stroke - Zeus helped her regain her confidence and speech by introducing her to strangers and encouraging her to talk.
Now Zeus’s owner is partially deaf and although he has not been trained to do so, Zeus alerts her when there are people at the door or when the phone rings - sometimes he even brings the phone to her and drops it in her lap!
Zeus even alerted her new partner when she was suddenly taken ill one night and required immediate medical assistance.
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Toby’s young owner has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and vertigo. If she has a fit or a fall Toby will go and fetch his owner’s mother. He even has a special bark to alert her that something is wrong.
He has given his owner such a degree of freedom that she can participate in various sports and can have a part time job which would never have been possible before she had Toby in her life.
Dogs Trust Dog’s Best Friend Award
The award for human endeavours, for someone who has gone that extra mile for dogs where that be fundraising, rescuing, or rehoming.
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Whilst serving in Afghanistan Pen Farthing went beyond the call of duty to save dogs from the fighting and neglect, risking his job and his life.
Back in the UK he then founded the charity NowzadDogs to educate other marines to help save animals from the country as well as looking to establish proper animal sanctuaries there.
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Alain has been the most significant influence on greyhound welfare within Wales. In 1993 he set up 'Greyhound Rescue Wales' (GRW) after finding an abandoned Lurcher in the street which led him to find out more about the huge numbers of unwanted ex-racing greyhounds. The charity has now rehabilitated and rehomed over 1,500 greyhounds.
Not only have Alain’s efforts mobilised hundreds of supporters to find new loving homes for greyhounds, but his political work continues to have a bigger and longer lasting legacy for Greyhound welfare throughout Wales and beyond.
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Val has lived alongside at least twenty Dogs Trust dogs in the last nineteen years. Val has supported the Shoreham Dogs Trust team by offering home to dogs that it would be difficult for others to live with. The dogs are often old, sometimes long term poorly, sometimes with only limited time of living.
It is Val's conviction that she will devote herself to looking after and giving loving home to the dogs that no one else will want. Val's home is a long term sanctuary to at times up to seven dogs with special needs and whom she believes deserve home comfort in their final months or years. However once in Val's care many of these golden oldies find a new lease of life! Many a dog said to have only a few months has decided to stay for some extra well deserved years snuggled up at Val's.
Val has organised her home around her animals which now extend to rescued parrots (which now bark!)
Dogs Trust Golden Oldie Award
The lifetime achievement award for Dogs Trust dogs over 7 years of age. Young at heart but they have achieved an incredible amount over their lifetime.
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When Gill's mum died, her dad lost all interest in life so Gill decided to get Tinker. Tinker went everywhere with her dad helping him to make new friends.
When her dad died, Gill took over the responsibility of looking after Tinker. Whilst her world was falling apart Tinker was there to pick up the pieces. Following a painful divorce Gill was prescribed anti-depressants but Tinker proved to be a better tonic and was there for her, slowly making Gill laugh again and meet new people.
Tinker goes to work with Gill at her dog day care centre and introduces himself to puppies, encouraging them to be respectful and confident. Tinker also helps rehabilitate dogs that are nervous or aggressive, teaching them how to communicate better.
Old man Tinker now also competes in heelwork to music competitions and does exceedingly well.
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Maggie is 10 years old and ‘chose’ her owners at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe two and a half years ago. Since then Maggie has played a key role in saving her owner John’s life and sanity.
Not long after acquiring Maggie her sick owner had to go into hospital for a month, eventually having to go on dialysis three times a week for the rest of his life. He was very ill indeed, but Maggie's presence has kept him going and speeded up his recovery - she has given him something to live for.
Maggie constantly checks on her owner to make sure he is OK. She opens up a social world for him, encouraging people to talk to him while they are out and about when otherwise they may have been intimidated by his disability.
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Since Chocky arrived with his new family, they say it has finally felt like a home. Neither of them could believe how much difference one old chocolate Labrador could make.
In life pre-Chocky, they worked late and hardly saw one another. Now they both rush home from work to be with him, work from home and come back for lunch whenever they can. They gave Chocky a home and in return he has given them unconditional love, endless walks and hilarity every time they find a new trick.
They are also even greener. They holiday in the UK now, as they want Chocky to be with them. They sit outside of cafes and pubs (and make their friends and relatives do the same). They’re happier, healthier and feel so much more like a family.
The couple had been together for nine years, yet after only two months of having Chocky, they got married last year. They became an official pack, and he was their guest of honour!
Dogs Trust Rex Factor Award
This is the fun award! Nomination entries are short video clips of dogs performing cunning canine tricks, celebrating the fun element of dog ownership and the unique qualities of man’s best friend.
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“Skye is our very own ‘Ronaldog’! She has a natural flair for football and even watches Manchester United matches on TV with the rest of the family. She’s really honed her skills over the years and has learnt various tricks including shimmies, backheels and goal scoring!”
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“Lucy is amazing and loves a challenge – we’re always working on new tricks and when I heard about the Rex Factor award I just had to put her forward. I sent in a video clip of Lucy performing doggy dancing and we’re both crossing our fingers and toes that she’ll be the winner!”
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“Molly seems to be a natural at doggy dancing but has none of the diva qualities you’d expect from a performer! We have our fingers and toes crossed that she’ll win the Rex Factor award but even if she doesn’t succeed she’ll still be our little superstar.”
Dogs Trust Top Dog Award 2009
Chosen from the winners of the above awards, as voted for by guests on the night.
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At the age of 33 years Maisy’s owner was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer that has now spread to her liver and lungs.
Despite worrying about leaving her husband with the responsibility of looking after a new dog, she finally decided to take on a rescue dog after losing her 18 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Maisy was originally called Angel and she is the reason her owner gets up in the morning and carries on fighting. Maisy makes her laugh - better than any anti-depressant.
Maisy opens new doors and lifts her mood - she has seen a drastic improvement in her health and wellbeing.