In loving memory of my doggy soulmate, Ben.
11.04.96 - 25.03.08

A special boy who came into my life when he was 7 weeks old and stayed with me for almost 12 years.  His mum and dad were working labradors from an estate in Scotland and he had the most wonderful attitude to life which I believe comes from that background.  Life for him was a joy.  Particularly if there was water involved. 

We have many memories of him lying in the water wagging his tail in a semi-circle with water drops following the tail - a real sea monster and there was the time that he decided to swim with seals up in the north of Scotland.  He travelled with us the length & breadth of Scotland and always found something to interest him!   

Later in life he was just there - Ben was always around especially when I was in the kitchen, he loved the sniffs and hoped for treats.  He was my first male dog and certainly much more loving than I expected. 

What can I say - I miss him.

Ethel

 

Bracken

We rescued Bracken a beautiful Black Labrador having known her since she was a puppy but her family had a split and no one wanted her.  We already had a dog called Buzz but knew the two of them got on so Bracken came into our home and our hearts.  As she had already stayed with us so much of her life it was easy for her to feel at home too.

She was an amazing dog and I got very close to her as I was at home all the time and we did everything together.  She loved walks on the beach where her and Buzz would run for miles after she had had a swim first.  You could never take her anywhere there was water no matter how dirty as she would be straight in it.  We also spent many a walk in the woods but she never let me out of her sight. The children adored her too and our daughter dressed her up in her clothes and Bracken would just sit there while being put in shorts and t shirts.  Bracken and Buzz slept together and were never parted until one day while in our back garden someone took her.  It was the worse moment in our lives after someone asked my kids in the front garden if we had a black dog but when I appeared drove off.  I shot out to the back garden but it was too late Bracken had been taken out of our secure garden and we were not to see her again alive. Deep down I knew while searching all over the place that I wouldn't see her alive again. Thanks to a neighbour we did find her hours later dumped 5 miles away but too late.  We brought her home and the kids got to say good bye and even now we all still get upset over her death as she was only 4 years old. Her death has left a huge hole in our hearts. Buzz wouldn't eat or play and he really suffered until we got Stroma our chocolate Labrador (I couldn't face having anther black one)  Stroma has brought happiness back into our lives but we will never forget our Bracken and the joy she brought.  Thanks to Bracken and our search for a puppy we got to know Carolyne and  Labrador rescue and for as long as we can we will always open our door to foster dogs that are waiting for a new forever home.  I would like to think that Bracken would like to know that we are helping other dogs that like her had a change of circumstance in their lives and needed to find a new home.

My dear Clover

We found and now we've lost you.You are sadly missed and we are heartbroken to have lost you. You were the sweetest natured dog I've ever had and I adored you.

A piece of me is missing now and I don't think I will ever get over losing you. At just 3 years old you were taken so young.

We love you and miss you dearly Clover
We shall be together again, some time.

Carol and Niel Chisholm

Cuilean

July 2001 to 29th September 2008

We were introduced to Cuilean through the Labrador Rescue service via Miss Vanda Salmon in April 2002.  Straight away he liked us and fell in love with our black Labrador bitch, Khali.  We were able to give him all the exercise he needed - walking, swimming, running along with us while cycling and coming out in our canoe.  He loved it and repaid us every day with his happy face and wagging tail.  His tail was amazing.  It could wag from side to side, up & down and round in circles.  It also occasionally cleared glasses of wine from low tables!  His life has been cruelly cut short by an aggressive tumour and the speed with which it took him has left us and Khali feeling bereft.  We all miss him but we have really good memories and a lot of great photographs with which to remember him by and we know he had a happy life with us.

Gwyneth & Bill Scott

Jake

Myself and my family moved to caithness January 2007 with our gorgeous springer spaniel jake, we absolutely adored him, he came everywhere with us, me and my partner climbed Nevis with him, that was an amazing weekend. We got jake when he was 5 weeks old and spent everyday with him, we had loads of adventures, then the worst day of my life happened of the 11th July 07 just 6 months after moving to caithness, Jake died, 2 weeks before his 4th birthday, Jake had swallowed a ball he had found on the beach, the vets did everything they could....but could not save him, We were devestated (we still are) he was more than a part of our family, i never felt pain like it. But thankfully i contacted labrescue and just 2 hours before my call carolyne had rescued Harry a 2 year old black lab.....it was fate i needed him as much as he needed me, he is wonderful he had a hell of a life, now hes just in heaven, and im delighted to say he now has a sister, another rescue black lab called bonnie, she is 9 months old and she has given harry the puppy hood he never had. I now help out with labrescue caithness, and i say to anyone out there considering adopting a dog, please dont let age put you off offering a dog a home, i had Jake for 3 wonderful years, if you can give that amount of time to a dog then its absolutely worth it.

Heidi

My Lovely Lucy

28/10/2000-11/08/2008

When as a pup you'd far to go
How quickly your life turned to woe
Hips no good, allergies galore
Itchy feet and ears so sore
Eating was your lifelong pleasure
That nose could find a buried treasure
But beware, the adder's bite
Oh, too late, you had a fright
Then Pets As Therapy, work to do
Enjoyed by all, especially you
Ever eager, face aglow
Jump in the car, come on 'let's go'
But some day I knew we'd part
You've left this ache deep in my heart
You suffered but it didn't show
My brave wee girl, we loved you so
I cradled you, you showed no fear
The pain was gone, the price paid dear
The tears still flow, it hurt me so
That day I had to let you go.
                      
Forgive Me

I was devoted to Lucy having loved and cared for her all of her short life. She would have been eight in October. Despite the fact that she had acute osteoarthritis in her right elbow and hip dysplasia, she was a plucky independent Labrador, She simply lived to eat and was always in the kitchen with that pleading look as only Labradors can have. I think she especially enjoyed being a PAT dog because of all the treats she was given when visiting.

At the end of June she had surgery to replace her bad elbow and improve her quality of life, but at six weeks post op the implant failed and became loose, causing terrible pain, so Lucy was sent to sleep as I couldn't see her suffer any more distress. I was told that there would have been nothing the surgeon could do. So she died as she had lived at the hands of a vet.

Lizzie

Misty

1st April 2008

My Golden Boy, My Pride and Joy

You were a loving and faithful friend until the very end

Mams boy, sadly missed

Mam and Family

Ollie

26 Aug 2005 - 19 Oct 2007

Ollie you were the most special Labrador I ever met - you loved life, you were such a character, a mischief but oh so loving.  When I was very ill you were at my side all the time - you seemed to know to be gentle. On that fateful night you were sat beside me on the couch, I had one arm round you , you looked the picture of health when suddenly you put your head back and you were gone. You were only 2 years old and I felt so cheated as you had shown no signs of illness at all.  Carolyne from Labrador Rescue came straight away and she too was devastated as she loved you so much - you had a special place in your heart for her too.  There were many many dark days and Ive never got over losing you - Ive just learned to cope better - you were the love of my life - I was so distressed Carolyne found me a Labrador who needed a new home due to his lovely owners going abroad - hes called Harvey and hes chocolate - she knew I needed help to get through my grief - Harvey has helped me a lot and I dont know how i would have got through those dark days without him.

This photo of you on the bridge was ironically taken a couple of days before you died and 2 weeks later was swept away with flooding - they never did rebuild your favourite bridge dear Ollie.  We all miss you so much but your short life was not in vain as Carolyne got me involved in Labrador Rescue and I think of you Ollie when Im helping other labradors by fostering and fund raising.

One day when the time is right I will join you on the bridge and we will be together again - love and miss you so much Ollie

Carole Ally and the children xx