Amanda Leask - Miracle

There are so many people to thank, so many people who have been on this journey with us. Writing this book has been therapy for me; though hard at times, it was worth every tear. It has brought back memories Id buried and tried to forget, yet also raised some Id long forgotten but which have been very welcome. This journey through life has driven me to exactly where I now know I was destined to be, where I should be. Forging onwards and upwards for Kyles future, building a business inspired by the dogs I rescued and, very soon, hopefully launching my own charity to help K9 Miracles around the world. Miracles do happen and I, for one, am a believer.

I must thank my husband, Tobias, who wondered in which direction I was heading I think he now finally realises I stop at nothing when it involves rescuing an animal. It makes such a difference to have support and help, to have him encouraging me and always pushing for me to strive for my hopes, knowing that, one day, my dreams will become reality.

And to my sons Kyle & Ty for teaching me valuable lessons Ill take throughout my life and the public for voting us to win Friends for Life!!!!

There are so many people to thank whove touched my life in some shape or form. The nurses who worked so hard to see Kyle make it and live his life outside of hospital Janice, Lorna, Vivienne, Margaret and Barbara, thank you for helping us sleep more easily; knowing that you were on shift allowed us to rest, assured that he was in safe hands. You eased the pressure we felt among the turmoil that was our life and Ill never forget what you did. And to Alison for all the tears we shared in the ICU. And to Rob Le Taxi, thank you for being Kyles buddy and getting him safe to and from school.

To Carmen, for introducing me to my first Romanian rescue and to the street dog crisis dogs face in that country; you inspired me to do what I do today.

To Bitter Brownie, for fighting her fight against the dog meat trade, saving three of my dogs, and for taking the photo that saved Miracles life.

To the Soi Dog Foundation for bringing me Toby, who had spent six years waiting on adoption. They are now the largest organisation fighting the dog meat and skin trade, and they save animals every day with their hard work and dedication.

To all the independent rescuers around the world making their own impact by saving lives.

For those of you who were part of Miracles rescue journey especially to Joanne for that final leg home to our front door for the support from well-wishers, for the donations to fund his care and trip to his new life, for everything that made it happen.

There are so many people to thank around the world Bitter Brownie (Bee), Mo Ni, Bea Gra, Dr Kom, Britta, Terri, Niz, Donna, Kerry and Kaye. Also thanks to Rebecca for all you do in rescue, and to Cindy for aiding me in adopting my first Thai dogs and for all the work you and Derek do.

A special thank you to The Kennel Club, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust and to Eukanuba for all their help and support, and for the opportunity to help me raise awareness for such important causes. They also have a great range of food, specially adapted for all our dogs. Miracles skin is really improving thanks to the help of Eukanubas Veterinary Dermatosis food and our sled dogs are powered by Eukanubas Performance Food.

And to my sled dogs who share my life and love of racing the cold mornings training runs, the sound and rhythm of your breathing, saw me through some of my toughest dark times. Its the best therapy in the world. My rescue pack fuel my quest to continue to help K9 Miracles around the world, the dogs who have lost all hope, but who finally reach loving homes for life.

Thanks to Rory Bremner for being so kind as to offer help, advice and tweeting my cause, and to all those lending their voices to those still suffering: Ricky Gervais, Peter Egan, Brian May, Dame Judi Dench, Marc Abraham, Will Young, Victoria Stilwell, Noel Fitzpatrick, and one man who had me glued to the TV from an early age engrossed in his wildlife programmes, Sir David Attenborough.

Id like to thank the Daily Mirror for awarding Miracle Rescue Animal of the Year at their 2015 Animal Hero Awards, where we were presented with his award by my favourite Loose Woman, the lovely Denise Welch; also to Anneka Svenska for filming a very special moment when we collected that award.

Id like to thank Ciara Foley for the fabulous opportunity to put pen to paper, Tess and the Ebury team, and ghost writer Linda Watson-Brown for helping me put together the jigsaw of my life.

Last but by no means least for the miracle that walked into my arms and life, who placed his paws on Scottish soil on 4/4/14 (World Stray Animals Day). Miracle is really no different to any other rescue but he is remembered and he is saving lives. Youre adored King Miracle this is just the beginning my boy!

Of course, there are many animals that have walked beside us too. The lifespan of an animal is never long enough but it has been a privilege to share time with so many amazing souls, all of them individuals in their own right. Thank you for being a part of lifes journey I hope someday to be surrounded by your love, licks and loyalty. I loved and lost you but I know youve never really left me.

Sleep tight: Beama, Khandi, Odin, Kamatz, Skeet, Cheeko, Freya, Jet, Troy, Kuzak, Bambi, Spirit, JC, EJ, No.1 and Smokey.

There are some questions Im asked which come up time and time again, so I thought it might be useful to answer a few of them here. Some of these questions are difficult, but Im not one to shy away from anything, and it is only right that I address any issues people may have about this whole topic. These are just my views, but as with everything else youve read what you see is what you get with me, and what Ive written here is just my honest reaction when faced with these queries.

What do you say to people who point out that there are lots of dogs in UK shelters? Why bring a dog from Thailand or Romania or elsewhere, when there are so many on our doorstep who need homes?