An eight-year old Papillion crossbreed has been awarded the historic Blue Cross Medal for extraordinary animal achievement.
The panel of judges were in awe of Lily-Rose’s story which shone above all the shortlisted pets for the national animal-charity’s Blue Cross Medal 2019.
The multi-talented rescue dog Lily-Rose saved her owner, Jenny Deakin from choking to death on a snack and alerted her when her mother collapsed in the night after a heart attack.
The pooch also performs essential tasks around the house like picking up items dropped by Jenny’s mother, who struggles with arthritis and helps with essential household chores including the laundry.
Sally de la Bedoyere, Blue Cross Chief Executive, said: “With the Blue Cross Medal we want to celebrate the amazing things pets do for us and how they change our lives. Lily-Rose is a perfect example of this and we’re honoured to award her with this medal, we also hope her story encourages more people to see the potential of rescue pets.”
Jenny Deakin who lives in Brentford and looks after her mother said: “I owe my life to Lily, but it isn’t what she has done for me that made me nominate her for the Blue Cross Medal, it was what she does for my mum on a daily basis. She takes care of her every day, gives my mum her independence and gives me piece of mind that I can leave for work every day.”
Eight-year old Lily-Rose was adopted by the Deakin family at just four months old and is still performing her incredible duties helping Jenny and her mother around the home. Lily-Rose is a shining example of how much pets change lives and the love and comfort they bring us.
Jenny added: “My mum suffers from a few different health issues, the main one being arthritis in her hips, knees and hands and neck. She struggles with everyday tasks like picking up dropped items, taking off socks and using the washing machine.
“When Lily came to join our family, we had no idea what a difference she would make to our lives. Some of the tasks that Lily does on a day-to-day basis, like getting my mums slippers, or her bag, closing the door or picking up the remote control, may not seem like much to most people but for my mum they make all the difference in the world.”
Lily-Rose stunned Jenny one night by waking her up with barking and persistent pawing, when Jenny got up, she discovered her mother on the floor of her bedroom crying out for help.
Jenny said: “Mum said she started getting chest pains and then the next thing she had woken up on the floor, we went to the hospital where it turned out that my mum had had a heart-attack. Without Lily waking me, I may not have found my mum in distress. She is a true life-saver and I’m delighted she’s been awarded the Blue Cross Medal.”
Nominations for the Blue Cross Medal 2020 will open later in the year. You can visit www.bluecross.org.uk/medal for more information.
