Freya and Echo, devoted friends, are excited to take part in Crufts at the Birmingham NEC and meet thousands of other dogs and dog lovers.
As she walks on stage with Echo this weekend at Crufts with her beloved dog, a courageous young cancer patient fulfills her dream.
After grueling kidney cancer treatment, Freya Harris’ parents gave her an Australian shepherd puppy last year to encourage her to go for walks.
She has spent weeks in the hospital, causing her muscles to shorten – but her best friend Echo has been by her side during this difficult time.
In Freya’s words: “Echo is amazing. I can cuddle up with her on a bad day and she will play with me on a good day. It means a lot to me. She is everything one could think of for a dog.”
Approximately one in 80 children in the UK are diagnosed with Wilm’s tumour each year, a type of kidney cancer.
As part of her battle against cancer, she has had a kidney removed as well as lung surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Having watched Crufts on TV with her mum Gemma, a dog walker, from an early age, Freya developed a love for dogs. It has always been her dream to be a part of the contest.
And she passed her qualification event in Boston just hours after leaving hospital following a life-threatening reaction to chemotherapy.
When we told Gemma she’d qualified for Crufts after the show ended, she screamed and jumped with joy, nearly crying with excitement.
It will be exciting to be surrounded by thousands of dogs and dog lovers at the Birmingham NEC, regardless of the outcome.
She knows what’s out of bounds. Echo’s just clicked with Freya. She’s been there on bad days and good days. It doesn’t matter if you win – it’s about trying.
