Published: Sunday, 14th March, 2010 3:00pm

Crufts nomination for top pooch

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A DEVOTED dog, who helps his young charge complete daily tasks, has been nominated for an award at Crufts.

Josie the Labrador is an assistance dog to Sam Daly, eight, from Eton, who is a wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy.

Josie, two, has helped turn Sam's life around by helping with everyday tasks including undoing zips, opening doors and passing notes between Sam and his parents and the pair's loving partnership was featured in the Observer in August last year.

The perfect pooch has been nominated for the top canine hero award at the DFS Crufts Friends for Life competition 2010.

Young Sam said: "Josie is the best friend I have. I want to tell everyone just how special she is because now I can do things on my own without having to ask my little sister or parents. Things were rubbish before she came to love me."

Sam and Josie were matched in spring 2009, with Josie's training and placement with Sam made possible with an investment from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Josie has helped improve Sam's confidence and sleeps beside him at night to ensure he is safe. On one occasion he alerted Sam's parents that he was going to be sick, which could have resulted in him choking because he cannot turn in his sleep.

The public can vote for the pair by calling 0844 646 0203 until 7.30pm today (Sunday). Calls cost 5p from a BT landline.

The dog that the public has voted as having the most truly deserving tale will be presented with its trophy during a special ceremony in the main Arena at the Birmingham NEC, on the final night of DFS Crufts today (Sunday), which will be televised live by More4.