Category: Sad News

A Tribute to Charlie (Charlie Bear) from Nigel and Angie his heartbroken family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we have to let you all know our beautiful boy Charlie had to go over the Rainbow Bridge on Monday. He was put to sleep in his favourite place – our garden by our Vet Jess and her assistant who were wonderful to Charlie and us.

He was surrounded with love, music and his favourite toy Kevin the Carrot.

We gave Charlie a home five years ago during the awful Covid years. He was eight years old and little was known about him.

It became clear that although he was eight he thought he was eight months, he was like an oversized puppy!

He clearly wasn’t used to living in a home. He chewed his way through most items in the house including the sofa, remote control and slippers.

He also used any available chair or table leg and once the linen basket as a pee post.

He pulled me over three times thinking he could catch a Squirrel or any other fast moving creature – he even caught a pigeon in mid flight!

You might wonder why I kept him because he certainly wasn’t your typical Greyhound. I kept him because I loved him. My partner Nigel who I had only recently got together with wondered what he was getting himself into, he thought I was mad! We both knew there would be a challenge ahead.

After a while Charlie got to know how we ticked and we him. Nigel taught him how to respond to him with his paw (Charlies’s not Nigels).

Charlie Bear soon came to realise if he whined and paced about we would respond. He wanted among other things his bed moved, cheese, to go out of course and other things he knew we could oblige him with.

He turned into the most wonderful companion and loved us both so much and we adored him. That’s all he needed love, help, guidance, understanding and lots of praise,. A bit like us really.

We were devastated when Charlie became unwell, he started to limp badly and the rest followed quickly to the point when we realised we had to let him go.

We cannot praise our Vet Jess highly enough for help and compassion and indeed that of her staff.

Charlie’s cremation has taken place and as I write Nigel has gone to collect his ashes which will be scattered in his garden.

All of you who know Greyhounds or are thinking of owning one or two probably know how special they are. Charlie was probably not the perfect example to start with but with not knowing his history we don’t know what start he had in life which would be the same for any breed of dog. All they need is love patience and perhaps a sense of humour!

Please believe me you will have the most loyal and loving companion you could wish for.

Goodbye Charlie Bear it has been an honour and a privilege to have had you in our lives. Run free baby. Love from Mummy and Daddy.”xx

What more could we add to such a heartfelt tribute to dear Charlie? We got to know Charlie well over the years and he was such a character and a real little charmer. We are so sorry for Nigel and Angie’s loss.

Fly high and free Charlie on you Angel wings. You will never be forgotten by all who knew and loved you xx

Charlie Bear August 2013 to August 2026.

After such a successful weekend on the homing front we are sorry to say we end today’s posts on a very sad note.

We have learned that Neville (Insane Rambo) has crossed the bridge.

Below is his family’s heartfelt tribute to him:-

” Sadly our beautiful Neville (formerly Insane Rambo) suddenly crossed the bridge last Sunday.

We are all heartbroken but take solace in knowing we have given Neville and his beloved George (Insane Brain cell) their forever home since February 2020.

Neville could kill with a stare but was a big softie at heart. He loved zoomies in the garden, sleeping on the sofa and being a mischievous pup often helping himself to treats.

He enjoyed holidays to Centre Parcs, walks along the sea front (though he wasn’t a fan of the beach or sea!) and relaxing in the garden of a summer’s evening.

We have seen Neville mellow as he has gotten used to living with other dogs though he has taken joy in winning in garden races with the Labradors!

We will miss him dearly and love him always”

Thank you to Neville’s family for the wonderful, loving and happy forever home they gave him. Our hearts go out to them, George and all who knew and loved him.

Run free dear Neville until you meet your friends again when one day they join you over the bridge.

We are saddened to learn that Rene (Swift Irene) crossed the bridge on 20th June.

Rene was a popular girl at kennels having spent much of her racing career there. She enjoyed a long and happy retirement with her family who absolutely adored her.

Dogs are sometimes quite discerning about who they will and will not be friends with. Rene wasn’t keen on her own sort but had two special friends in Spaniels Scooby and Woody who loved her dearly and she them.

We thank Rene’s family for the loving home and happy retirement they gave her and our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

Sleep well Rene, we hear there is an endless supply of your beloved Liver Cake on your side of the bridge. xx

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Lucy (Donny’s Angel) she was a grand age, approaching her 15th birthday (August).

Lucy was a sweet soul who visited kennels kennels regularly after her retirement, often popping in on a Saturday morning.

She will be much missed by staff and Volunteers alike, most of us had known Lucy for all of her life but of course missed most of all by her owner and her house mate Ross.
What a long and happy retirement Lucy had, loved by all.
Sleep well sweet Lucy, may you always know just how much you were loved. xx

We are saddened to learn that Denozo ( Sanatone Jet) has crossed the bridge at the grand age of 13 and a half years old.Denozo was put to rest in his garden in the sunshine today.
He will be so missed not just by his owner but by his many friends and neighbours in his village where he was a bit of a celebrity, often he would invite himself in to their houses if they happened to leave the door open. An awful lot of people cared deeply about him but no one more so than his owner, he was devoted to Denozo and showered him with much tender loving care. Our hearts go out to him at this sad time.
Sleep well Denozo it may be over 6 years since you went home but we remember you as if it were yesterday. We found a photo of you and another with your friend and kennel mate Lucy at an event from when you were with us.

At times we are almost lost for words. This is just so heartbreaking.

Our Darling Boy Beagle

Our hearts are absolutely broken at losing you so soon after Gus, we were not ready to say goodbye, but we had to let you fall asleep in your safe space at home and go join your brother over the Rainbow Bridge.

You were the instigator of everything for us and the family leading to rehoming Gus and our now retired racers Ashley and Charlie (who miss you so dearly). But you also instigated 4 other boys being rehomed in the close family and having our own racers of who all we wildly adore.

You truly were one of a kind and such an intelligent boy, letting us know what you wanted and coming up for cuddles when you wanted them.

We had nearly 7 wonderful years with you and it feels like we have come full circle as it was 7 years to the day, we went to Dillymore and met you, instantly falling in love.

You have been through all the years, be it the highs and the lows but most importantly you were by our side when we got married and said “I do”the best ring bearer we could have ever had. And of course you were the star of the show!

You were a boy who loved paddling in the water on your walks, loved playing boxing with your Dad and running around chasing anything that moved in the garden.

Later in life you became a little unsteady on your legs but you took it in your stride and absolutely smashed your weekly hydrotherapy sessions which kept you going for your long walks through the fields. You were at your happiest being outdoors, especially the garden at all times of the day and night digging numerous holes for your dad to tip the mower down! But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Like Gus we were not ready to stop loving you and we never will. You will always hold a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten having 7 years of wonderful memories with you and the other pups.

Sleep tight sweetheart, you truly were one in a million Beagle and we are so glad you were ours!

Goodness what can we add to such a moving tribute! What a legacy this special boy leaves.Our hearts go out to Joe and Lindsay , their boys Charlie and Ashley and their wider family.

Life can be so harsh at times, to lose two of your precious hounds in such a short space of time is devastating.

We are all so grateful for the wonderful life Beagle had with his family and Greyhound brothers and friends

Run free dear Beagle we know you will be reunited with your bestie Gus. Play happily together, keep chasing anything that moves, dig a few more holes and sleep soundly together as you always did. xx

We are sorry to day we start our week with some sad news.

We have had the devastating news that Harry (Hurry up Droopy) has crossed the bridge after a brief yet very serious illness.
This is all the more sad because because Harry was 5 years old, he would have been 6 in September. Bless his heart he only went home in October 24.
Below is his family’s heartfelt tribute to him.
“We only had Harry a short time, but he was a gentle giant. He never barked, growled or got cross no matter how annoying his sister Shirley was with him. Harry loved all dogs big and small and loved playing with my Mum’s miniature schnauzer. Harry was nervous at times and would freeze, but we just went where he felt happy.. Harry loved nothing better than being with his family and felt safe and secure. He had several holidays to Yorkshire and North Norfolk. He is so desperately missed”.

Our thoughts are very much with Harry’s family and although his time with them was short we know they gave him a wonderfully loving home with many adventures.

Run free at the bridge dear Harry with all of the other hounds who have gone before you. You will be much missed on our monthly walks. xx

What a sad week this is turning out to be.
We were devastated to have received the awful news that at just 7 years old Gus has crossed the bridge.

Below is Gus’s family’s heartfelt tribute and back story to him.

COOLHILL DUSTER 15th March 2019 to 11th May 2026.

A tribute to my best friend Pet Name Gus (Racing Name Coolhill Duster).

To paint a brief picture I am the proud owner of three racing and four retired Greyhounds at Dillymore Kennels which were or still are trained by my dear friend John Mullins.

I visit kennels weekly to spend time with my racers and on one particular day I was visiting, waiting for one of my dogs to be brought out from the kennels, I was nearly knocked flat over by this most magnificent Greyhound that jumped up at me.

Unbeknown to me this was Gus introducing himself to me, Gus and I instantly formed an incredible bond.

I made enquires about Gus and it turned out he had been waiting to be rehomed for sometime and this was purely down to him being such a big dog, his size had put people off.

Anyway myself and my wife Lindsay then lived in a small terraced house with our retired Greyhound Beagle and unfortunately didn’t have room for another Greyhound.

I would check the Suffolk Greyhound Trust web page daily to see if Gus had been rehomed.

I really wanted Gus and so the race well and truly begun with Lindsay and I to find another property to house Gus.

Four months had passed, searching daily and then a renovation Bungalow with a good footprint of land came up for sale. I straight away rung John and asked him to reserve Gus as we were having him.

Fast forward another few months and we were the proud owners of Gus. He had moved in and settled within 24 hours, like he had lived with us all of his life.

So long as there was food in his bowl, our bed to cuddle up in and his squeaky ball to chase around he was a happy lad.

He was the most amazing, loving and loyal dog (My shadow) anyone could have ever wished for and a character beyond all belief.

We were very lucky and very privileged to have had Gus in our lives for nearly two and a half years until suddenly he was taken ill and declined very quickly with Cancer of the Spleen.

Unfortunately we were left with no other option than to part with our dear, darling boy Gus.

One thing I would like to come from Gus’s legacy is to anyone looking to rehome a Greyhound, if it’s a brute of a dog like Gus was please don’t be put off of rehoming them because they are all gentle and loving dogs no matter what their size.

Sleep tight Gus Duster, love you always. Keep chasing after that ball Son xx.

Our hearts go out to Joe and Lindsay especially as dear Gus’s life was so tragically cut short by such a cruel disease.

It’s a sad day for all of us who loved Gus, as you can imagine he was at kennels for such a long time we were all very close to him.

The only comfort to be had is that he was loved beyond measure throughout his racing career and his retirement not just by all who knew him but by his Greyhound housemates.

Sleep well darling boy we will remember you and those magnificent wayward ears always.xx

It’s a sad day today. We have learned that Edgar aka Simon has crossed the bridge. Below is his family’s lovely tribute to him.

“When I came to choose a hound, only Simon, as he was known then, was shown to me as the hound coming with me to cope with two border terriers and four horses. We called him Edgar
Edgar has done this admirably, along with welcoming 3 rehomed Springer Spaniels and every year a litter of 8 week old foxhound pups I walk for the Essex and Suffolk Hunt until they return to kennels at 6 – 8 months old. He taught them all to run very fast!!

He loved being part of a gang, being on the stable yard, no weather fazed him, he loved his daily zoomies in the big secure meadow when the horses came in, he loved the sofa, he loved cheese and I’m so proud that he loved me. The kindest, funniest most gentlemanly of friends I could ever have. I loved him and miss him so very much. I’ve never struggled with the loss of a dog like I am with Edgar’s death”.

Our hearts go out to Edgar’s family, we all know the pain that last goodbye brings.
Edgar you were such a lovely boy to have in kennels, always happy and wagging your tail.
We are so grateful for the wonderful fun filled life you had with your family.

Run like the wind as you always did, full of joy. Darling boy you were much loved by all.

Unfortunately we start the new week with some sad news.

We have had a message from Angie’s owner to say she has had to have her sweet and gentle girl put to sleep just a few days short of her 13th birthday.

Angie who was formerly known as Soviet Angel went downhill a couple of years ago when she lost her beloved Diesel, they were inseperable but with help from her Vet she perked up and spent another two happy years of retirement and was later joined by Spice with whom she was happy to show the joys of home life. Spice we are sure will in time help to ease the heartache of loosing Angie.

Angie’s owner says neither Angie or Diesel asked for anything more in life than to be loved, fed and watered, both being the most perfect examples of their breed who were adored, much loved and respected by all who met them.

Angie thankfully left her owner peacefully at home, laying on her favourite bed by the French doors looking out at the garden as she always did watching the birds.

Our thoughts are with Angie’s owner and her friends who knew and loved Angie. We thank her for giving Angie, Diesel and Spice along with the many others she has taken into her home for the wonderful life she has given them.

Sleep soundly beautiful Angie reunited with your beloved Diesel. xx