THIS week’s star of the Animal Magic page is a not-so-energetic spaniel, who once had a close encounter with one of Britain’s most famous athletes.

Gracie if the family pet of Jessica Murphy, aged 11, from Kearsley.

“Being an active family, we wanted a dog that we could take running, but that was also good natured. A springer spaniel fitted the requirement,” explained Jessica.

“However, our dog is the laziest springer spaniel we have ever met. She will run a mile and then lie down in a huge puddle so she doesn’t have to run.”

Gracie is not that keen on other dogs, but loves humans - including gold medal-winning Olympians.

“She wants to be a human. She will sit on the sofa with her legs dangling and needs a pillow to rest her head on,” added Jessica.

“She loves physical contact and will try to lie on you, whether you want her to or not. We have three cats and she gets on well with one of them, but she gets chased off by the smallest cat.”

“Her claim to fame is meeting Mo Farrah at the Great North Run last year. I think she was more pleased to see him than he was to see her, as she nearly tripped him over.”