In Memoriam - Billie
We write to advise the death of Billie, at age almost 14; a yellow Labrador originally adopted from the LRT in Devon when he was approximately 2 years old.
He had previously been unsuccessfully placed with several families and then left to his own devices on Exmoor where he learnt to become a sheep chaser. So after a fairly roguish start with me, he settled in and bonded to become a superb biddable dog. In fact he won a 'most improved Labrador' award at one of the subsequent SW meetings. We enjoyed some 9 years in North Devon where sand dunes and sea provided rich doggy adventures for him on a daily basis.
We then moved to Surrey where my new wife just happened to own a golden retriever of about Billie's age. The manner in which they both instantly accepted one another was quite remarkable and seemed to give both of them an enhanced quality of life. There was never any question from these previous single household and single owner dogs of territorial aggression or jealousy. They just took to each other instantly.
After five years in Surrey we retired to Scotland, where Billie enjoyed almost a year of hill walking, chasing rabbits and just ambling around, not to mention a return to the beach and sea and the fairly frequent joy of seeing water fowl on the nearby fishing lakes.
We are so grateful to The Trust for having been given the opportunity of looking after Billie. He rapidly became a true family member with a loving personality, which was obvious to all who met him. He was an outstandingly faithful, devoted and obedient dog. We shall miss him dreadfully.
We shall continue to support the Trust's work and wish the organisation all the best for the future.
With graceful and sincere thanks,
Dr John and Rev Rosemary Mason