A pet Doberman dog sniffed out a “perfect” kidney donor for its dying owner at a one in 22 million chance.
Lucy Humphrey, 44, was in dire need of a life-saving kidney transplant when she took her dogs Jake and Indie to the beach for the day.
Excited Indie ran off to a stranger 100 yards away, not wanting to leave her alone.
Ms Humphrey, who had only five years to live, apologized to Katie James, 40, and the two women began chatting on the sands of Barry, South Wales.
Mrs. James found out that Mrs. Humphrey was waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant and revealed that she had just been put on the donor registry.
Lucy Humphrey (left), 44, was in desperate need of a life-saving kidney transplant when her pet Doberman Indie rushed to meet Katie James (right), 40, on a beach in South Wales
Incredibly, it turned out that Mrs James, who had recently signed up as a kidney donor, was a one in 22 million match with Mrs Humphrey, who had only five years to live
The pair exchanged phone numbers after Ms James said she would be happy to give her kidney to anyone in need.
Ms Humphrey said: ‘She went through all the tests and it turned out she was a perfect match.
“It was great — Indie almost put her through and picked her.
“A surgeon told us it’s a one in 22 million chance of finding the perfect match, which is what I needed.”
Ms. Humphrey suffered kidney failure after being diagnosed with lupus, a condition that causes inflammation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and joints.
She and partner Cenydd Owen, 49, from Caerphilly, South Wales, were due to take their motorhome for a weekend break to Aberystwyth, 90 miles away.
But Mrs. Humphrey wasn’t well enough for the long journey, so they went to the nearest beach where Katie was sitting in a beach chair crocheting a blanket.
Ms Humphrey said: ‘Indie kept walking up to this woman about 100 yards away – we called her back, but she wouldn’t leave her alone.
Lucy Humphrey, 44, had kidney failure after suffering from lupus for 15 years and was told she would die without a new one
Kidney donor Katie James recovers in hospital after saving Lucy Humphrey’s life
“We thought she had food or something and eventually Cenydd went over to apologize because Dobermanns can be a bit intimidating.
‘She was actually having a good time herself, so I invited her to our barbecue.
“She came over, bought some drinks from her and offered me some.
“Cenydd explained that I couldn’t drink because I was on dialysis. She was like, “Oh, what’s that for?” and he said I was waiting for a kidney transplant.’
After Ms James volunteered, the two women went to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on October 3 last year.
The surgery was a success and Lucy is now fully recovered and living a happy, normal life.
She said: ‘I really needed this transplant, I had been on the waiting list for several years. It has already completely changed my life.’
Ms Humphrey and her partner described Ms James as a ‘wonderful, selfless person’ who they can never thank enough.
Mrs. James, from Barry, said: I’m really lucky to have met Lucy, I know it’s worked and I know she’s living her life. For me there has been nothing negative about it.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I’m so proud of myself and my family is proud of me.”