A DOG lover is conquering her fear of heights by climbing one of the UK’s highest peaks to raise money for the Evesham-based animal rescue charity she adopted her beloved pet from.

Caron Reeves, who lives in the Shetland Islands, adopted deerhound cross lurcher Otis from Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue in 2009 and is planning on scaling Mount Snowdon – the highest mountain in Wales – on Saturday, June 27.

Ms Reeves said, although Otis settled in well and got on with her other lurcher, Slim, after five years he developed osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

“We were faced with making a very difficult decision whether to either pursue with him having his front leg, shoulder and lymph nodes removed or to let him go,” she said. “We decided after speaking with other tripawd (three-legged dog) owners, reading up on the subject and advice from our local vet to give Otis a fighting chance and we were so glad we did.”

Thankfully after a successful operation Otis made a full recovery and lived life to the full - despite having to adjust to being on three legs - until he had to be put down last May.

Ms Reeves said: “You would never have guessed he had only three legs when you saw him charging around on the beach having fun, considering that Otis was quite a large sized lurcher.

“Sadly however the cancer returned, this time to his lungs, and we had to make the very hard decision to let him go.”

Ms Reeves, who has already raised almost £400 for the charity, said she was looking forward to the walk, despite a fear of heights.

“I am hoping for good weather on Saturday for the walk up Mount Snowdon,” she said.

“I have done hill walking before but have never attempted mountain walking due to a fear of heights.

“The walk will no doubt present some personal challenges for me to face and overcome along the route but knowing that I will be raising money for a great cause will help and support me.”

To sponsor Ms Reeves visit www.youcaring.com/Snowdon_Walk_for_EGLR or email her at caron1@btinternet.com.

Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue was set up in 1989 in an effort to stop dogs from being put down. Today the charity looks after 70 or more dogs at any one time.

For more information visit www.lurcher.org.uk.