Braveheart the dog lives up to her name
A DOG that had been destined to end up on a dinner plate has won "the best rescue" category in a Highland competition.
Braveheart had her front legs mutilated and had been left at the side of the road in China to be picked up by a butcher before she was rescued by a charity and brought to Scotland to be adopted by a family in Inverness.
Braveheart moves about on her back legs and props herself up on her front stumps, but this is uncomfortable over long distances and puts strain on her body.
She appeared at the Top Dogs Day Out event at Hayfield Glenmore over the weekend and as well as coming first in her show category, her owner also received £171 in donations to go towards the costs of specialist prosthetics that will make life a lot easier for Braveheart.
Owner Amanda Leask said: "The judge was in tears when she saw Braveheart enter the ring. Everyone was just blown away by her determination."
Mrs Leask hopes to raise £1200 for Braveheart's prosthetics as well as a few hundred pounds extra for a wheelchair that will allow her to run and play with other dogs.
Top Dogs Day Out was staged on Sunday by High Life Highland Countryside Rangers, Forestry Commission Scotland and K9 Training.
There were wacky races, daft games and obedience and agility course to test the most capable entrants and, of course, the top dogs got goody bags, rosettes and prizes.
* If you would like to help Braveheart, you can contribute to the fund at www.gofundme.com/5v9ttls
