A tribute to Freddy

Yesterday we had rain all day and I wonder if you know the sense of washing in nature when the rain has passed over and the spring growth perks up everywhere. The greeting of the sun, that feel fresh in the air and the pristine look on the leaves; well that was what it was like this morning.

The brief video shows the ferns beneath the conifers where we and Lily our Staffy like to walk.

This morning the walk was tinged with much sadness for Linda and I (and others I guess). Having parked the car we saw The picture above stapled to a tree and without examining it I immediately knew it was Freddy! People put pictures on trees when they have lost a dog in the woods. But this was a notice telling everyone that Freddy had died, he was that popular. Just then we met his very sad owners, Judy and Stuart, we’d never known their names.

There is a strange phenomenon (for me anyway) that I don’t always recognise people but I do their dogs. Dogs often come to greet Linda and I when they hear our voices. Freddy was the one Staffy that did that and my how we shall miss him! We often met him and Stuart in many places on the Chase. The meeting with Freddy was always exuberant and full of expression even when he had his favourite ball and no matter what the weather. He would talk to us in doggie talk and go from Linda and I and back and forth for fusses. He was wonderful! You never met him without feeling that you had met an important dog, he wouldn’t let you. And he always left you feeling that you were special to him too.

Stuart and Judy are distraught at their loss. But these woods will ever resound to Freddy and his joyfulness. Dogs, like people, are only loaned to us and we have to value them to the full while we have them; sometimes we have to say goodbye all too soon! Freddy made your life richer by being there, he was a great character!

A very special dog taken too soon for all those who loved you!

It was a privilege to know you, Freddy!

Not a harmful bone in his body!