Pluto – one family’s hope and community’s inspiration

July 24th 2024

A local black Labrador and his owner are prize winners after entering a national award celebrating the powerful bond between dogs and their humans.

Pluto and Maria’s story won hearts at healthy pet food company Vet’s Kitchen from all of the entries into their Woof and Well award. The Woof and Well Award was launched by Vet’s Kitchen in recognition of the contribution dogs have made to our health and wellbeing. This year, the award focused on dogs who have made a special impact on their family’s happiness.

Maria Cartwright, 46, a palliative nurse from Harrogate, adopted Pluto as a puppy into her family a year after her husband, Alan, was hit by a car while cycling to work in 2014. This serious accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury, a leg fractured in several places, loss of vision from his left eye and epilepsy. Eight years on, Maria is still caring for her husband at home.

“After nine months in hospital we brought Alan home for rehabilitation, but the man we brought home was totally different to the man who had left for work that morning,” says Maria. “Not only did we have to deal with Alan’s physical needs, it was the psychological impact on all of us that was such a challenge. We needed something to give us a positive focus and a new way forward to try to unite us as a family again.”

Pluto quickly became the family’s glue, providing light and hope during the darkest of days.  

Maria says: “Pluto immediately gave love to us all especially to our two teenage children. He was their safe space, allowing them to cuddle him and cry and tell him how they were feeling. He helped bring a sense of calm and joy when they had felt so sad and company when they felt so isolated.”

Pluto, now 7 years old, has never been trained as a service dog but he naturally fulfils this role perfectly, being completely attuned to the needs of his family. He is listening ear for Maria as Alan’s carer, providing endless support when she feels overwhelmed. Another skill he naturally learnt was to walk slowly alongside Alan, keeping close to his side.

“Alan doesn’t go far but Pluto walks like a dressage horse – so attentive and carefully,” says Maria. “Occasionally Alan has fallen and Pluto has stayed by his side. He encourages Alan to go for a walk and without him, Alan would stay at home completely.”

“We thought it was time to give our dogs recognition for their love and loyalty.” says Laura Shears, MD of Vet’s Kitchen. “Humans and their canine companions have always made for a winning team and more than ever, we lean on them for the emotional support we need and they never fail us. Pluto is a worthy winner, showing us that a dog, even in their senior years, can literally hold a family together and provide the hope to keep going.”

“Pluto has been so wonderful and saved a family from falling apart,” says Maria. “He gave me a hope and a purpose to wake up to a brighter day. The endless walks have been my haven and the new friends I have met during these walks have been an amazing support on such dark days. Eight years on, we are still treading the difficulties but Pluto continues to bring us together – as a counsellor for us and a companion for Alan. I am not saying this lightly, he has saved my life several times over by reminding me there will be better days ahead and he is there.”