An Antrim veterinary clinic worker is celebrating following success at
Crufts, where she was part of the Northern Ireland team which bagged
the Obedience 'World Cup'.

Janine Brownlees, with team mates Sam McCracken,
Tracey McKinley, Carol Walker and Michael McCartney entered the world-famous dog show to represent the Province in the
competition which displays dog behavioural training at its best.

The Firmount Veterinary Clinic staff member trained her two dogs, Jack
and Chloe, to a world-class standard, and Crufts judges were so
impressed with their team effort, that they awarded the NI squad first
place in the international obedience category.

Janine's two mongrel dogs, who she discovered at the Mid-Antrim Animal
Sanctuary, were joined by Border Collies Ben and Storm for last
week's event, and the winning team are preparing to continue their
success in the local dog show circuit over the coming months.

Speaking to the Antrim Guardian, Janine said: “I have been involved in
dog obedience training for seven years, and regularly attend one or
two dog shows a month.

“Last Christmas, myself and my two dogs were selected for the Northern
Ireland team to enter the Obedience World Cup competition at Crufts,
and it has been an exciting few months training the dogs up to the
high standard required.”

She added: “The dogs must show skill at 'heeling' on command,
retrieving, and obeying commands to 'stay away', all under the
scrutiny of the world's foremost judges on canine behaviour.

“Our team were thrilled to come first, and we all put in a great deal
of work for this achievement. I can't wait to send Jack and Chloe back
in to the local circuit, where they can continue their success now
they are world champions.”

Paying tribute to Janine, fellow animal lover Kelly Marshall said:
“This is such an amazing achievement. But Janine really deserves it as
over the years she has given 100 per cent to her dogs and she is such
an inspiration.

“Apart from Chloe and Jack, who were with her at Crufts, Tea is her
princess and her two most recent rescue dogs Dot and Bumper are two
great dogs that, if it were not for Janine, would not have such
enjoyable lives.”