Mirror People’s Pet Awards - Frisey rider roars off with a trophy
It’s time to meet another winner of the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox.
Our team went through thousands of nominations to produce a shortlist for the judging panel who chose which incredible animals and animal lovers should receive a trophy.
We’ll be revealing them every week on this page – today it’s Motorbike Milly, winner of our Webbox Joy of Pets award.
She's gained an army of fans online as she takes to the road in her leathers – but Motorbike Milly is much more than your average social media sensation.
The fun-loving Bichon Frise, who sports goggles and her very own customised helmet while she’s out on the roads, has proved a life-changing companion to her owner Paul Crossan, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than 10 years ago.
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After being medically retired from his job as a plumber a few years later, the dad-of-two was keen to find a canine companion to take on camper van road trips as he looked for ways to fill his time.
“I already had two dogs, but they hated travelling and even getting in the car,” recalls Paul, 46. “I had a camper van at the time and wanted to get away a bit, and thought I’ll get another dog who’ll actually want to come with me!”
Visiting a local rescue centre in 2016, Paul fell for Milly the moment he met her.
“The lady at the rescue took me up to meet Milly, and told me right then that the dog had attachment issues,” he says. “She said Milly would need someone to be with her all the time, and given my circumstances, that suited me perfectly.”
Before long, Paul and Milly were heading off on trips – and Paul soon decided to see how his pet would fare on his motorbike.
All ready to ride“I’d bought the bike after I retired,” he recalls. “And I thought I’ll just buy the gear for her and see how she gets on. To my huge relief, she took to it really quickly. People often ask how I trained her, but the truth is, she just did it.
“Because of her attachment issues, she wants to be with someone all the time, so if I’m on the bike, she’s happy to be there too.”
Sharing pictures and videos online of their motorbike adventures, Paul was stunned to see Milly’s fanbase grow and grow.
The pair’s ‘Motorbike Milly’ Facebook page now has more than 150,000 followers, while their posts have had more than 3 million likes on TikTok.
“People just fell in love with her,” says Paul. “I think they love to see what Milly’s up to and they like the novelty of the helmet, which I made for her pretty much straight away. There’s a small amount of padding in there, but it’s mainly to protect her from the weather and to keep her face safe from stone chips and things like that when we’re out on the road.”
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The adventurous pair regularly ride from their home in Glasgow into the Scottish countryside and have even completed the North Coast 500 a number of times.
As well as providing companionship for Paul, nine-year-old Milly has also made trips to a local children’s hospice, and visited care homes before the pandemic.
“She’s a fantastic little dog,” says Paul. “She’s everything to me really, and she’s with me almost every minute of every day. Aside from my wife Lynne and my two sons, she means more to me than most folk on this earth.
“I’m over the moon she’s won the ‘Webbox Joy of Pets’ award with the People’s Pet Awards because she really has made a massive difference to my life. It’s Milly’s first ever trophy, and we’re chuffed to bits she’s had such lovely recognition.”
Meet a charity superhero
Plucky PumpkinAdopted as a pup by owner Tammie Fox in 2021, an MRI revealed West Highland Terrier Pumpkin’s spine had been broken through extreme trauma. She has no sensation below her waist, and is doubly incontinent.
But with the support of her owners, inspirational Pumpkin, who uses a pink wheelchair to get around, is now a Disabled Dog Advocate, raising awareness around the world, as well as thousands of pounds to help other animals with disabilities.
Not only that, the adorable pooch is the driving force behind charity ‘Pumpkin and Friends’, which supports other disabled animals by providing free wheelchairs and strollers as well as funding treatment for disabled dogs.
Tammie has organised three disabled dog walks in Lincoln, which last year which more than 200 people and 170 dogs attend. In total through the walks, the charity has raised more than £30,000 in funds.
Pumpkin, who is best friends with Tammie’s other dogs Smiggle and Ernie, is also a registered therapy dog, and regularly visits local schools where she spreads joy to everyone she meets.
Tammie said: “I’m so proud that Pumpkin has been Highly Commended as ‘Caring Animal’ with the People’s Pet Awards, as she truly is a special little dog. I love that we’re helping to make a positive difference to animals’ lives.”
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