Our most PRECIOUS

Karen Crosby is the proud owner of a very distinguished dog

- MISHAAL KHAN

Being awarded the Blue Cross Medal is an honour bestowed on one very special four-legged friend every year, chosen by a panel of judges and awarded to a pet who has done something inspirational, saved a life or changed one. In 2022, the year of the Blue Cross’ 125th anniversary, the privilege was given to an Alaskan Malamute called Storm, who not only saved the lives of other pets, but provided care and support to his owners when they needed it most.

It was 2010 when Karen and Phillip Crosby welcomed Storm into their lives. ‘Phillip sat in the litter pen waiting to see which dog would come to him. That’s how we got Storm – he chose us,’ Karen smiles. Storm was just six weeks old when he met the couple, and a month later, he went home with them.

Karen, now 65, and Phillip, 68, decided to get a dog as Phillip’s retirement from the NHS neared. He’d always wanted an Alaskan Malamute, but knew the breed required time and attention. Phillip found a specialist breeder and put his name on a waiting list. They had to wait 12 months, but it was worth it.

As Storm settled into his new home in Wavertree, Liverpool, he underwent rigorous training, needing three walks a day. ‘He got so much attention whenever we took him out,’ Karen laughs. ‘We called him the “puparazzi” because people would stop us for photos.’

Phillip craved his independence, and Storm helped him get some of it back'