A woman has said she "wouldn't be alive today" if it wasn't for her dog, who was a priceless source of comfort when her partner suddenly passed away from a rare cancer aged just 26.
Amanda Collins, 36, based in Essex, describes her Afghan hound D'hari as a "little lifesaver" and says she gave her a "purpose" and reason to get up every day.
Amanda's partner, Jamie O'hara, was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in June 2016 and tragically died just seven months later.
While Jamie was in hospital, Amanda and their two-year-old daughter, Luna, adopted a puppy who helped them "overcome the stress and heartbreak" of Jamie's passing.
"D'hari 100% saved my life by being here," Amanda said. "She really is one in a million."
Five years later, Amanda and Luna have set their hearts on a new challenge, and will be competing with D'hari in Crufts 2022 Dog Show next month.
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Amanda and Jamie had been together for four years when he found out he had an aggressive form of cancer.
They had a young daughter together named Luna, who Jamie was "besotted with".
Amanda says mortgage adviser Jamie was "relaxed, laid back and healthy" - and had even made plans to propose if he survived a year with cancer.
In September 2016, Amanda's friends persuaded her to get a new dog, and she welcomed an Afghan hound puppy from Belgium.
D'hari was well-behaved, albeit slightly bonkers - but that "helped to distract" Amanda.
"She came just when Jamie started going really downhill," Amanda explained.
D'hari didn't mind Amanda dividing her attention between home and hospital, and the pup managed to meet Jamie a couple of times.
After he tragically passed away, Amanda "wanted to give up" but D'hari kept her going.
While Amanda grieved, D'hari was by her side and would lay her weight on Amanda to comfort her.
"I don't like physical contact but D'hari would never push it. She sensed when I needed her and when I wanted to be left alone," Amanda explained.
Amanda also suffers with PTSD from her young career in the Army, and D'hari would "rest her head" on Amanda's lap during her bad days.
"I don't think I'd be here if I didn't have her," Amanda said.
In 2020, Amanda and Luna moved from their family home in Scotland to Essex for a fresh start, "away from the bad memories".
Around the same time, she set her sights on competing in Crufts - which she says was "always a goal" of hers.
Amanda has two other dogs, Collie cross A-zeaf and Chinese crested Princess, but dreamed of entering with an Afghan hound.
And even more so now D'hari has been awarded Silver in The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Scheme.
Seven-year-old Luna is just as excited as Amanda for Crufts, and will be stepping on the carpet to compete in the Young Kennel Club Hounds Stakes on March 11.
The pair of them hope D'hari will go on to win Best in Show.
Despite her preened appearance, Amanda says five-year-old D'hari is "just like any other dog" and loves getting dirty and running riot outdoors.
D'hari couldn't be closer with Luna and the pair have a protective and strong friendship.
"The things we've all been through would break a lot of people," Amanda said.
"But with a dog we can overcome anything."
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