Charity invites owners to nominate heroic pets.
Nominations have now opened for the 2022 Blue Cross Medal, celebrating pets who have done something amazing or heroic.
Blue Cross chief executive Chris Burghes explained: “The Blue Cross Medal champions all heroic pets - from amazing assistance or therapy pets to every-day household pets who make exceptional companions.
“If you own or know of a pet that has done something out of the ordinary to change someone’s life, we want to hear from you.”
One remarkable pet will win the medal, and owners can nominate their pets for consideration until Friday 26 August.
Originally, the Blue Cross Medal was awarded to people who rescued animals, and was first awarded in 1917, however in 1940, the medal was given to an animal itself.
The winning animal, a dog named 'La Cloche' saved his owner from drowning after a German torpedo hit their ship, and ever since, the medal has celebrated the actions of pets who save and change lives across the country.
Successful pets have been awarded for a whole range of heroic acts, the 2021 winner, a blind therapy cat named Carrots, was celebrated for the comfort he brings to sick patients and their families at a hospice.
Other heroic pets include a cat named Jim who saved his family from a fire in 1942, Daisy the Labrador who could detect cancer, pet blood donor Romeo the Staffordshire bull terrier and Lemmy the mastiff, who saved his young owner from depression.
Anyone who owns or knows a heroic pet is invited to visit bluecross.org.uk/blue-cross-medal to make a nomination.
Image (C) Blue Cross
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
