Lorna Hayes, a woman from East Budleigh, Devon, has described how her bond with her Border Collie, Nora, brought light into her life during a period of intense pain and hardship. Diagnosed with arthritis in 2019, Hayes found herself unable to walk properly and reliant on a wheelchair, yet training Nora in dog dancing provided her with a reason to keep pushing forward.
The duo started attending dog dancing classes, eventually developing a routine that took them all the way to the prestigious Crufts competition. In 2024, they won the Heelwork to Music Freestyle final, an achievement Hayes describes as life-changing. “Nora saved my life,” she said, recalling how the dog brought her moments of joy when she had little else to smile about.
“Nora made me smile when I didn’t have anything else to smile for,” Hayes reflected. Despite her mobility challenges, the pair found solace in sitting together on the couch, using treats to teach Nora new tricks. “When you can’t even put on a sock and you’re crying, having your dog come up to you and perform a fun trick is the best thing that could happen in a day,” Hayes shared.
Before Nora, Hayes had no experience with dogs, but she quickly realized the dog’s intelligence and drive were key to their success. “She’s a very clever little dog,” Hayes said. “I was definitely crying in both the finals. The tears came from being able to show the world how amazing I know she is.”
Hayes and Nora are already preparing to defend their title at Crufts next month. “It’s a completely new routine since we can’t repeat last year’s,” Hayes explained. “The aim is definitely to win, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the experience on that green carpet.”