AVA’S PUPPY LOVE

Brave girl to celebrate anniversary of bone marrow transplant with arrival of cute labrador

BRAVE Ava Stark will get a new four-legged friend to celebrate the anniversary of her bone marrow transplant. The four-year-old had to give up her dog Taz after being diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure last year, leaving her with no immune system. More than 83,000 people signed up to become donors in a bid to find her a match after we told her story.

A match was found and Ava had the procedure in November last year.

Mum Marie Stark, 34, from Lochgelly, Fife, said: “Ava has been constantly asking for a puppy so I spoke to her consultant who said she could get one when she was a year post transplant.

“She’s allowed to play with the puppy when it comes home but a no-licking rule is in force until they build up bugs against each other.”

The lucky dog – a chocolate labrador –has been dubbed “Puppy” by Ava, who has yet to chose an official name.

The pup will join the family in about eight weeks, ahead of Ava’s anniversary on November 25.

FIGHTER Ava found a donor after our appeal, below, told of her plight LITTLE GIFT The labrador, left and below, will be a present to Ava to mark a year since her op