‘I can tackle anything with him by my side’

Tracey Ison, 51, lives in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

As I worked as a nurse in a vet clinic in 2010, I overheard the word ‘whippet’ and my ears pricked up.

I had two whippets at home – Misty and Izzy – so it broke my heart to hear about this little stray. Scout had been brought in by the dog warden and he was blind, had mange and a terrible kennel cough. Yet he was so friendly.

I spoke to my husband Paul about him and we took Misty and Izzy to visit him. They took to him instantly.

Then, in 2015, my dad Alan was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

I spent as much time as I could with Dad, regaling him with tales of Scout’s antics, and when I got home, stressed and sobbing, Scout was ready to cover me with licks and love.

When Dad died, Scout helped me navigate my grief, and now, Scout is a therapy dog. We visit care homes for people with dementia where he spreads many smiles.

He reminds me to make the most of life. I can tackle anything with him by my side.