THREE amazing animals who survived against the odds have triumphed at the Swindon Brave Pet awards 2015.

The competition, organised by specialist veterinary clinic VetsNow Referrals, in Shrivenham Road, honoured animals who have shown extraordinary resilience to overcome illness and injury.

Town pet lovers had the chance to vote online for the bravest dog, cat and exotic animal, with a trio of furry fighters honoured with certificates and trophies – and their proud owners sharing their inspiring tales.

Cat champion, three-year-old Bella, from Purton, went missing for more than two months after disappearing from her garden. It is believed she became trapped and ate her own collar to survive.

Brave Bella’s owner, Pam Winter, said a dream led her to believe her furry friend was coming back unscathed.

“I hadn’t dreamt about her in so long but this dream was so vivid. She was running towards me thin and covered in fleas,” she said.

“I woke up the next day and ran to the door and there she was, I was just crying because I was so happy,” she said.

But the joyful reunion was short-lived as Bella was in critical condition after losing more than 50 percent of her bodyweight.

The feisty feline spent weeks in veterinary hospital receiving fluids to treat starvation, shock and anaemia and blood transfusions.

Pam said: “At the end of the day we had this beautiful little cat that was relying on us to get her back to where she should be.

“She fought so hard to get back to us and we weren’t about to let her down.

“If it wasn’t for those amazing donor cats who gave Bella blood our girl wouldn’t be with us today.”

Thanks to the love of her owners and her treatment, Bella is now free to enjoy chicken dinners and running up and down her favourite cherry tree.

Representing courageous canines in the town, blonde cocker spaniel Barney shared the trophy with 15-year-old Jack Russell, Shihtzu cross sisters Sweep and Millie.

Barney battled on after battling a malignant tumour and an auto immune blood disorder which caused him to lose his balance. He is now on life-long chemotherapy.

The 12-year-old spaniel lives in Shaw with owner Madeline Packer, 64. She said: “He’s a bit of a grumpy old man now but he loves playing with my grandchildren and he’s very affectionate.”

Barney made a successful recovery and now spends his days eating his favourite frankfurter sausages and enjoying a spot of fishing with Madeline’s husband Jan.(CORR) Sweep and Millie shared the award after judges heard how they coped with various health problems.

Tragically, Millie lost her battle against pneumonia and an immune disorder which attacked her joints before the awards.

Sweep, who lives with owner Mandy Jones in Badbury suffers from high blood pressure, kidney disease and blood cancer multiple myeloma which left her needing lifelong chemotherapy.

Mandy said: “Millie and Sweep were so close and Sweep cried for weeks after Millie had to be put down. When Sweep became ill and I was told that she had just weeks to live I immediately asked for a second opinion.

“I’m so glad I did because VetsNow have given her almost a year and a half more with me which I’m so grateful for.”

Strong Sweep is also deaf and lost an eye to a deep ulcer but that hasn’t stopped the perfect pooch living life to the full.

“The medication Sweep is on affects her appetite so sometimes I’ll feed her sausages, steak or chicken and she loves playing with my mum’s dogs, having a funny five minutes in the garden or sleeping on my lap. She’s my baby,” Mandy added.

Winner of the Best Exotics category was Rexx (CORR), a water dragon with a severe skin infection which made him severely dehydrated, lethargic and very poorly.

After undergoing skin biopsies, despite some scars on his skin, Rexx is back home with his owners and full of life.