Sussex girl recovering from cancer given 'dream' puppy

Evie Orman, ten, from Southwick had been dreaming of owning a puppy while undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat a brain tumour.

Her mum Katie Orman had been thinking about getting a companion for Evie, sending several enquires on social media in the hope of finding the perfect pooch for her daughter.

And on Wednesday, Evie, who had grade four Medulloblastoma and spinal cancer, was surprised on her front doorstep with a beautiful black and white Pomchi puppy – a cross between a Pomeranian and a chihuahua.

Callie surprised Evie with Teddy on Wednesday.

The puppy, who has now been named Teddy, was given to the family by Callie Moss, a dog groomer and breeder from Woodingdean, Brighton.

Callie, alongside her father Harry Moss, said she was so moved after hearing Evie’s story that she wanted to give the family the puppy for free.

She said: “Katie contacted me saying that her family were looking for a dog and she wanted me to help her find a little puppy suitable for her daughter.

“She explained to me that her daughter had a brain tumour and spinal cancer and she told me how much of a warrior she was.

“I just couldn’t sleep, I was tossing and turning and thinking about it so me and my dad decided together that we wanted to surprise her with the puppy.”

Teddy is an eight-week-old Pomchi.

Evie was diagnosed in April 2019 after being admitted to Southampton General Hospital following a series of reoccurring headaches.

After a ten-hour operation on the tumour, surgeons were unfortunately unable to remove it entirely and Evie’s family were told that the cancer had spread to her spine.

The surgery had also left Evie with Posterior Fossa Syndrome, a condition that sometimes develops after surgery to remove a brain tumour, which has left Evie needing to use a wheelchair.

Katie said Callie had done a "beautiful" thing for Evie.

After a year of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Evie had clear scans and was able to return home.

In late November 2020 Evie had a vascular stroke, a side effect of the radiotherapy, and had to spend three weeks back in Southampton General on their neurological ward.

But after six weeks of rest, she has now started her a course of neuro-rehab at Chailey Clinical Services in Lewes in the hope it will help her to walk independently again.

Katie said that the Teddy arrived at a “perfect moment” and has provided Evie with a much-needed boost during a very difficult period.

She said: “Dogs are the best therapy. Evie had so many therapy dogs visit her in hospital.

“One of our friend’s even took a pony to the hospital to see her so all along animals have been by her side to offer support.

“She used to horse ride every weekend and she was quite a good team rider. It is quite a sad story really.

“But Evie loves her dogs and loves her horses, so it is such a beautiful thing that Callie has done.”

To follow Evie’s progress visit EvieDreams2011 on TikTok and to donate to her fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/evies-journey