Conrad Lewis’s dog inspires new Avonvale surgery to raise money for animal shelter in Afghanistan

Sandi Lewis from Claverdon, near Warwick, was accompanied by Pegasus, the mongrel dog adopted in Afghanistan and named after the emblem of the Parachute Regiment by her 22-year-old son Conrad before he was killed by a sniper in February 2011.

The money, which was raised by Avonvale during their new surgery opening campaign, will go to the Nowzad Dogs Animal Shelter in Kabul.

Conrad and Pegasus were constant companions amid the dangers of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Such was their attachment that after Conrad’s death his family did all they could to search for ‘Peg’ and arrange to bring her back to the UK to live with them.

Mrs Lewis said: “Peg was one of many stray dogs in the Quadrant compound when Conrad arrived there in October 2010. From then until he was killed Conrad and Peg were constant companions.

“When Conrad was back on leave during Christmas 2010 he said that he wanted to bring Peg back home when his tour ended in March 2011.”

A month after Conrad’s death Peg was helicoptered from the Quadrat to Camp Bastion, then transported in an armoured convoy to the sanctuary in Kabul and then finally flown to the UK to start her new life.

Peg was the guest of honour at the opening of the new Avonvale surgery last month.

Senior vet Kieran O’Halloran, who presented the cheque, said the fundraising had included a donation of £5 from Avonvale for every new client registered there.

To make a donation call 400255 or email [email protected]