Charlie’s best friend is also Australia’s

voting for him, with the win announced at the end of last

“I’m certain that it was the big Canberra village that we’ve got that made that happen. I don’t think we’ve ever won a popularity contest, but Elton’s clearly tugging at heartstrings and that’s a good thing,” says Melissa, who shared their story on Facebook to get as many award-winning votes as possible for Elton and Charlie.

The chosen charity for Elton’s winnings, a $150 donation, is Stella Bella Little Stars

“It is an absolutely amazing charity. They often work in the background where people don’t often see it, making sure that families have little treats in hospital, to making sure families have the really important support that they might need or might become unafford- says he has a genetic condition called DiGeorge syndrome, or 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. she says.

“He was born with a severe heart condition, without a connection between his heart and lungs. So, he had a lot of heart surgeries to make him survive initially.

Elton has been through puppy school, adolescent school and is now doing formal training with ABCDOG Dog Training.

“It’s been wonderful, right from when Elton was a little puppy Charlie has had a num- some public-access training as well. He’s had a few stints now in resuscitation and the emergency department, and we’ve spent quite a lot of time around pediatrics, in high-care and through day-stay as well.

“Elton has alerted to a number of seizures already. After medical team has been pretty awesome.

“We spent a significant amount of time making sure we picked a dog with the right temperament to do this kind of work for Charlie.”

Melissa says it was lovely to see the community get behind

Bandannas back at the market

RELAY for Life team, the Bold Bandannas, return to the Belconnen Fruit & Veg Markets, 8am-5pm, on February 25 to raise funds for the Cancer Council, ACT. From their spot in the Piazza, they’ll be selling homemade preserves, pickles, chutney, lemon butter and sugar-reduced preserves, plus a range of hand-sewn items, including children’s dress-up clothes and dolls’ clothes. More from 6231 0761.

Brad loves space

ASTROPHYSICIST Brad Tucker will speak on space exploration and the space race at the February lunch meeting of the Tuggeranong Day VIEW Club at the Town Centre Vikings Club, Greenway, from 11am on February 21. Lunch costs $33 and visitors and interested ladies are welcome. RSVP to 0409 747017 or maleyjan@ yahoo.com by February 17.

Managing money

The next steps for Elton will be taken with some new boots.

“Hospitals can be pretty slippery so Elton’s boots make it easier to grip on, and they are also super dirty so they go on when he’s walking around, and off when he hops on to the bed with Charlie,” says Melissa.