​Dog Swerves Euthanasia To Become Competition Champion

There's no greater news story than one that champions the underdog, someone who overcomes adversity to come out on top to prove that just about anyone can go from zero to hero if they work at it.

Well, this heartwarming tale is about more of a literal underdog - a pooch who managed to get saved from euthanasia, only to go on to become a competition champ.

Back in December, Stitch was just one day away from being euthanised, when Millie Sawyer came to her rescue.

"We got her at the very last minute," Sawyer told WFAA.

Sawyer, who is a foster mum for Habitat for Paws, has managed to single-handedly save over 70 dogs during her time.

But one of her most desperate cases was Stitch, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, who was in desperate need of her help after being turned away from three homes.

Eventually, Stitch was rehomed with a woman called Kaitlyn Johnson, who introduced her to the sport known as flyball, which involves dogs running a short course... and proved, surprisingly, to be Stitch's specialist subject.

"Two months in she runs a 4.35," Johnson said.

PA

Many of us don't know much about flyball, but apparently that's a fast time for a novice dog - with Stitch proving so impressive that she began placing at competitions.

"We want her to learn to run fast and flat," Pam Martin, who works at Top Dog Obedience Training, told WFAA.

But that admirable 4.35 was soon blown out the water when Stitch ran a record time of 4.117 seconds. Turns out that one's the fastest time for the Staffordshire class.

"I turn around and my whole team at that point is screaming," Johnson said. She added: "Every time I set a goal for her she just leaps over it."

Kaitlyn Johnson/Facebook

Johnson reckons that Stitch perfectly illustrates the importance of not judging a book by its cover, as most families wouldn't take her in due to her breed.

She also added that Stitch is continuing to compete - and excel - at flyball competitions, having found a new lease of life through the sport.

Having been one day away from meeting a very sad and unfortunate demise, the fact this dog's now got such a bright future ahead of her is truly inspirational.

How's that for an underdog?!

Topics: Inspirational, Feels, US News, Community, Animals, Dogs

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman