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Buttons the Shih Tzu and Hannah Gates aged 19 from High Wycombe announced by the Kennel Club today as finalists for the prestigious Crufts dog hero competition, Friends for Life 2018, at the official launch of Crufts 2018.

Hannah and Buttons were chosen from the ManÕs Best Friend category. Hannah has owned her Shih Tzu, Buttons since 2013. In the summer of 2014, Hannah was diagnosed with a near fatal case of ulcerative colitis, spending two weeks in a high dependency unit as a result. During the fortnight she was in hospital she had various procedures and scans, multiple blood transfusions, and episodes of seizures and complete unconsciousness.

When she was eventually discharged from hospital, she was welcomed home by the very enthusiastic Buttons. Throughout her recovery, Buttons did not leave her side. For the entire summer holidays she would dote on Hannah, making sure she was comfortable and comforting her at any time she needed her and during those few months they created and developed a bond that is now very poignant in their everyday life. A year after the illness, Hannah had become overweight due to an intense course of steroids, so she decided to get into sport on her doctor's recommendation. Not really a sporty person, she struggled to decide what to do and find any motivation, but with Buttons she discovered dog agility and hasnÕt looked back since!

The two of them have now been enjoying agility for nearly three years and have just started competing and are both loving every second. Not only has agility given Hannah many amazing opportunities, it has also helped her gain physical and mental fitness too, helping her condition. Buttons, her regular pet dog, has stepped up to the mark and become a natural assistance dog that was never planned.

Crufts is the world's greatest dog show and this year will see more than 21,000 healthy, happy dogs competing for the coveted 'Best in Show' title as well as taking part in the many other competitions that take place at the show, from Agility and Flyball to the hero dog competition Eukanuba Friends for Life and Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year. Crufts 2018 runs from the 8th to the 11th March at the NEC, Birmingham.

Crufts is the perfect opportunity for dog lovers meet around 200 breeds of dog, find out how to go about getting a dog, and to find out about activities and competitions they can get involved in with their own dog.

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E: press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

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Image File Data

1.6 MB; 27th February, 2018; 3550 x 2367 pixels (W x H)

Image Keywords

Buttons  Canine Hero Awards  Crufts 2018  Dog  Dog Show  Friends for Life  Hannah Gates  High Wycombe  Kennel Club  Launch  Pet  Shih Tzu