This Story Of A Boy And His Dog Will Melt Your Heart
Last year film students at the University of Hertfordshire made a film about Owen and Haatchi. Their story is now being turned into a book.
This is Owen Howkins, aged seven.
Via youtube.com
He suffers from a very rare genetic condition which leaves his muscles permanently tense.
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He's in permanent pain, and until recently the condition made him scared of talking to people.
Via youtube.com
But just lately, his friend Haatchi has helped him regain his confidence.
Via youtube.com
When Haatchi was younger, he was left abandoned, tied to a train track.
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He was found with his tail and one of his legs mangled: they had to be amputated.
The RSPCA tried to find him a new home, but he wasn't happy until he met Owen.
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Owen's father Will and his fiancee Colleen Drummond adopted him.
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They could see Haatchi was happy, because his stump waggled.
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Haatchi really boosted Owen's confidence.
Via pressgazette.co.uk
Before he got the dog, he didn't like to leave the house at all.
As he says:
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Last year, Owen and Haatchi won first place in the Friends for Life category at Crufts.
Via youtube.com
Owen and Haatchi have a Facebook site here. A book about their story is being published today.
