A dog which was rescued from the illegal meat trade by a Highland dog lover has won a place on a prestigious Crufts shortlist.
Miracle, a crossbreed, was saved from a ship bound from Thailand to Vietnam where he would have been served up for human consumption.
But he was adopted by Amanda Leask, who has a husky dog centre at Strathglass near Inverness, in April last year after being rescued and brought to Edinburgh.
The dog was nursed back to health and has formed a special bond with her six-year-old son Kyle, who has cerebral palsy and autism.
Mrs Leask said: “Miracle truly lives up to his name as it was only his spirited attempt to escape the truck that he had been herded onto, with 1,000 other dogs headed for slaughter, that led to his rescue.
“He was hanging out of the crate, strangling himself, when someone took a photo of him as evidence, assuming he was dead, but the flash of the camera made him open one eye. When the photo was posted onto Facebook and I saw it, the rescue attempt began and we didn’t stop until we got him back to the UK.”
The pooch is now helping in the campaign against the illegal meat trade, and has made the final four of the Eukanuba Friends for Life competition at Crufts 2015.
The category celebrates the close bond between man and dog and heartwarming stories of friendship in adversity.
Mrs Leask added: “Despite the fact that he has seen the worst of human nature, he adores people and is the most gentle and loving dog we could hope for. He has such a close bond with Kyle, who cannot speak and who can struggle to communicate with people, but Miracle understands him and they are so close to one another.”
“They are both my little bravehearts and I am so proud that Miracle has made it through to the Eukanuba Friends for Life final and will be going to Crufts.”
The winner will be chosen by public vote and announced on Sunday, March 8 at Crufts, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham.