Ramsey: Tank's Battersea Muddy Dog Challenge fundraiser

Tank, an eight-year-old Labrador Cross, was originally signed up by her owners to take part in the charity’s challenge event in Stansted on September 30, where owners are set tackle muddy obstacles with their dogs running and walking by their sides to raise funds for Battersea’s rescue animals.   

But after Tank’s owner, Kate Hawes, from Ramsey, spotted a lump on her mouth, she was whisked off to the vets; Tank had an aggressive melanoma in her jaw and an inoperable tumour in her liver.

Her family were devastated when they were told Tank had just weeks left to live.  

Pawesome effort: Josh takes a break with Labrador Cross Tank on her own Muddy Challenge event for Battersea with James and Chihuahua Cross, Goof (Image: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home)

Tank and her family raised £350 for leading aninal welfare charity Battersea (Image: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home)

With the courageous canine taking matters into her own paws, Tank donned her Muddy Dog Challenge bandana and with best friend, Chihuahua Cross Goofy, she set off to complete her own Muddy Dog Challenge walk in the Cambridgeshire countryside with Kate who was joined by her husband Steve and children Josh and James.     

Kate said: “Tank is such a fun-loving and adventurous pooch and we had signed her up for a fun day out at the Muddy Dog Challenge as a nice treat, so we were heartbroken when the vet broke the news to us.

“We just knew that we didn’t want to take part in September without her by our side.

“Tank is a determined girl however, and so we still wanted her to do her own special walk for Battersea.”  

Muddy good effort: James with eight-year-old Chihuahua Cross, Goofy, and Josh with terminally ill eight-year-old Labrador Cross, Tank (Image: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home)

Weaving in and out of local bridle paths, Tank trotted her own special route doing circuits around her favourite lake.   

Kate added: “Our brave girl led the way and she even took on her own fun obstacles by hopping on and off nearby logs.

“We walked five kilometres in total and we posted our route on social media so our friends and family who had sponsored us could see Tank’s amazing progress.

Courageous Canine: Tank took on her own fundraising challenge whilst battling a terminal illness. Owner Kate Hawes and her sons James and Josh with Goofy with Tank. (Image: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home)

“We were all so proud of her for completing her own Muddy Dog Challenge.”

After completing her walk, Tank was treated to a well-earned lick of Jude’s ice cream for dogs and posed proudly with her own Muddy Dog Challenge medal and rosette.