A HEXHAM woman and her rescue dog are about to compete in their first-ever Crufts.
Nadiyah Storey, 28, who works at Elm Bank care home in Hexham as a well-being Lead, will be going to the popular dog competition with her dog Indie, a Sloughi, in her fly ball team in March.
She will be competing with her team of eight members on March 7 after 3pm.
Nadiyah's parents, who are members of the Eclipse Flyball Club, introduced her to the sport after she rescued Indie.
After a few goes, Nadiyah was 'bit by the bug' and started to compete.
Nadiyah said: "We got Indie around two years ago, when she was abandoned on a rural farm near Allendale.
"She had been used as a bait dog, then had been attacked by both dogs and humans, so she was scared of dogs and people. She was covered with cigarettes burns, and suffering from malnutrition.
"She was rehomed to my family and we were only supposed to foster her, however she fitted into our home perfectly. So she stayed!
"My parents already attended Eclipse Flyball club and asked if we wanted to join in as they were having a go.
"I was worried at first about having a dog who was scared of humans and dogs but I thought we could slowly introduce her to both.
"We started and her confidence, conditions and our connection grew.
"She was never to run or compete in a team as we just wanted to play flyball for fun but it turns out she was very good.
"Indie only started competing last year with her team but she has also won BFA rescue dog of the year 2023 and Her team went to Chesire polo club on September 11, we qualified for Crufts.
"It’s everyone in the teams first time competing at Crufts, so it's exciting and we are really looking forward to it.
"We will be running live on Crufts green carpet at 3.05 on March 7."
The team is sponsored by a Quantity Surveying Practice Two Plus Two based in Corbridge.
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