A dog which has transformed its autistic owner’s life has been nominated for an award at Crufts.
The story of German shepherd Sasha has proved to be a tale with a happy ending for Jamie Dryburgh.
Before meeting his three-year-old pooch, Jamie, 23, was effectively housebound, afraid to leave his home in Kinglassie, Fife.
Their bond has given Jamie such a confidence boost that he now happily travels around the country.
Sasha is in the running for the Kennel Club’s Eukanuba Friends for Life competition which recognises dogs truly deserving of the title man’s best friend.
Jamie hopes the life-changing impact of their relationship will inspire other people with autism.
Before getting Sasha, Jamie would spend 16 hours a day at his computer.
He said: “When I first got Sasha I was in such a bad state, I didn’t have much of a life to be honest.
“I just sat inside and hid all day.
“Sasha has changed my life immensely. I could tell she cared about me and she in return helped me to come out of my shell.”
Winning the prize at Crufts, he said, would be a dream come true.
He hopes that he and his beloved four-legged friend will be invited to take part in the final at Birmingham’s NEC on March 13, where some of the world’s top dogs will be paraded.
He said: “I would love to see Sasha appearing in something like that.
“I hope it would inspire other people with autism because I never used to go out and since I have had Sasha I travel all around the country.”
Kennel Club spokesperson Caroline Kisko said: “Jamie and Sasha are thoroughly deserving of this nomination and the Kennel Club wishes them luck in the Eukanuba Friends for Life competition.”
Last year’s winner was Miracle, who was rescued from a Thai slaughterhouse and has transformed the life of his seven-year-old owner Kyle Leask, of Inverness, who has cerebral palsy.