A rescue dog has become an internet sensation, with a video of his spectacularly energetic and clumsy agility performance at Crufts watched by more than eight million people.
Jack Russell Olly didn’t have the best start in life, having been dumped at the gates of the Blue Cross re-homing centre in Kimpton in a cat carrier in 2012, when he was just six weeks old.
The Blue Cross charity cares for sick, injured and homeless pets and finds happy homes for thousands of animals each year.
This month at Crufts – the world’s largest dog show – Olly stole the show, and the hearts of the public, after a heart-warming agility performance.
A YouTube video of his performance received 8,791,159 hits in just 10 days.
In the footage Olly has a stumbling start, before flinging himself over numerous obstacles and sniffing different corners of the arena after seemingly getting distracted.
His routine might not have been pretty, but it is proof much joy and happiness can come from a rescued dog.
When Olly was taken in by the Blue Cross at the Kimpton Bottom centre five years ago, he was given the care and attention he needed, as well as behavioural training.
He was matched with owner Karen Parker, who has since continued agility training with him, leading to his show stopping performance at this year’s Crufts.
Karen said: “I had lost my lovely lurcher, who was my world, and I needed to find my new best friend. Dogs just don’t live long enough.
“I saw a picture of Olly on the Blue Cross website and that’s when all the fun started.”
She continued: “At our training club he does everything beautifully, and then I take him to shows and he just loses it. He just switches off.
“He once almost did a whole circuit at a show, and then two obstacles before the end he saw a collie and went to say hi, and that was it.”
Kelly Brooks, manager at Kimpton’s Blue Cross re-homing centre, said: “We’re thrilled Olly is such a hit.
“He’s a wonderful dog and we’re so glad to have been able to match him with Karen. They seem to be perfect for each other.
“We’re dedicated to helping unwanted and abandoned pets find new homes and hope all of them will go on to be as happy – and entertaining – as Olly is.”
For more about the Blue Cross, visit www.bluecross.org.uk
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