A dog rescued from truck full of strays being taken to Vietnamese restaurant wins Crufts award after transforming life of the autistic son of woman who saved him.
Miracle was snatched from the streets of north east Thailand and loaded onto a truck with hundreds of other stolen dogs, all destined for the dog meat restaurants of Hanoi in Vietnam a couple of years ago.
Luckily for Miracle, the truck carrying him to his death was intercepted by agents working for the Phuket-based animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation.
The dogs were taken to a purpose-built shelter in Thailand, where they were then put up for adoption.
Scotland-based dog lover Amanda Leask, 45, spotted Miracle’s photo shortly after he’d been rescued on a Soi Dog Facebook post.
Crossbreed Miracle (seen here hanging over the crowded pet cages) was destined for dog meat restaurants in Vietnam when he was saved by the animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation
Devastated by his plight and the hopelessness of his situation, she enquired about adopting him.
Already an owner of three rescue dogs from Soi Dog, Amanda very soon had her fourth. And while Miracle quickly got to work returning the favour to his new owner by creating a powerful bond with her son Kyle that transformed the young boy's life.
Kyle, six, was born with cerebral palsy, and was later diagnosed with autism. His condition means that it is incredibly difficult for him to communicate with his family. After learning that autistic people can develop extremely close relationships with canine pets, Amanda decided to adopt some dogs. Kyle and Miracle have since developed a close bond, which Amanda says reveals an unspoken mutual understanding.
She said: 'They’ve both faced so much hardship in their lives, it’s like there’s an unspoken language between them.
'When Kyle gets upset because he can’t convey what he wants to, Miracle will go and lay at his side for Kyle to touch and stroke.
'Miracle seems to automatically know when Kyle needs him.''If Kyle simply wants some attention, Miracle will go over and shower him with kisses, and it works the other way too.'
She continued: 'Kids can build up confidence in dogs where they seek solace, and Miracle gets this in abundance from Kyle.'
The unique bond between man and dog is still yet to be explained fully but Amanda says the amount it has helped Kyle is unlimited. She said: 'He seems so much happier in the presence of Miracle. 'It’s like they’re soul mates.'
The special bond between a severely disabled boy and his dog has been recognised at Crufts. Rescue dog Miracle beat off 200 other entrants to scoop the prestigious Friends For Life award.
Miracle won £1,500 for his Crufts Eukaneba Friends for Life award, and Amanda will share the money between Soi Dog and the Autistic Society.
