Rainbow Bridge
This page is for us to celebrate the pets that we have had the pleasure of sharing our lives with. Many of these pets have made the best teachers for us as professionals and we are thankful that we were able to spend time with them giving them a great life full of exercise, stimulation and love.
Alfie
Alfie was my first ever Great Dane and after a love for the breed since I used to see two on the way to school each day I had always said that one day I would share my life with a Dane. Alfie came from a litter in Bristol and fro the day we met we knew we would fit perfectly together. The first day I saw the litter Alfie was the smallest but made up for that with his big personality, Alfie grabbed hold of my bag and ran off with it around the breeder’s garden. From that moment I knew he had to be a part of my life. Alfie settled in well and although there were trials and tribulations we embraced life together, without Alfie the forming of the company may never have happened as it was when he was 6 months old and I made the decision to work and look after dogs starting Heathers Pet Care. Alfie shared his life, me and his home with many fosters and boarders over the years and unfortunately left us at 9.5 years old. He had been suffering with Heart failure for a few months and collapsed on a walk one day. Part of me left when Alfie left us but he still lives on in my heart every day. My van is named Alfie and his photo remains at the front of my van so that he is always with me and the other doggies!
Molly 13 years old
Molly came to me for the first time for boarding and her owner explained that she doesn’t always like people and other dogs, molly although 9 years on her first stay was totally full of beans and loved life. Molly spent many holidays at our home in Bathampton and it was a pleasure to be a part of her life.
Millie
Millie came to us when I was 11 years old our first family puppy and we spent the next 15 years growing up together, Millie was without a doubt a one in a million dog, we spent hours together on walks whilst I was still in school. Millie was my sidekick and I even remember painting her toe nails pink to which she sat patiently and allowed me to do! Millie had a great long life and will never be forgotten in my heart!
Saphie 11 years old
Saphie was my first ever Great Dane fosters for Dane line; she spent around 3 months living in my home with Alfie and many boarders and day care users. Saphie was a very soft and gentle girl that really wanted nothing more than a cuddle on the sofa, Saphie certainly didn’t put me off fostering and I went on to foster a further 37 great Danes up until I had the children. Missing you Saphie thank you for teaching me that I can pare a space on the sofa for many rescues that need it.
Moses nearly 7 years old
Our eyes met and I knew he was the one. I was told that a friend of a friend had some Dane puppies and they were one of the colour that I had not yet had and so I went round to meet them. I had only just had Phoebe my human baby and this was my reward for all the hard times of late. I looked at the 9 cute black and white puppies in front of me and then our eyes met I picked him up and said hes mine… I just knew right away that he was my boy! He was just 4 weeks old at this point and over the next few weeks until he made it to 7 week old I spent a few hours every other day with him and his litter mates. I had such fun playing with them and getting to know them all during these few weeks. Moses sadly went to the bridge at just under 7 years old with heart failure! Missing you beanie always!
Archie 11 years old
Archie was a lovely addition to our rounds in Bath; we provided visits for him to go for a pee whilst his owner was at work every day. Archie loved his treats and his cuddles so aside from a short potter around the block Archie would be a nice hide away from the group walks and rain and windy days. Archie moved house in 2017 into an area we no longer served and then went to the bridge in 2018. We miss you lovely boy!
Rocco 13 years old
We first met Rocco a couple of years ago in Bristol. He needed visits for a little wander and a lot of fuss, and we were very happy to oblige! A sweet gentle old man Rocco was always happy to see us and in the early day even have a bit of a play with the snuffle mat he really enjoyed a sniff around and a his favourite past time was to cuddle. He will be sorely missed by all the team.
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
Steve and Diane Bodofsky
Gadget and Gusto 13 years old
Gadget and Gusto started to use our walking service in the early days of the company and they really enjoyed their time with us getting up to mischief. These boys were my favourite teachers, they taught me and prepped my for just about every eventuality that may happen when working as a dog walker. Gadget and Gusto are sorely missed and they will never be forgotten for their huge personalities.
Louis
Louise was Alfie’s best friend, I remember driving my first van down the street and seeing Louis and his owner walking along, of course I stopped my car to go say hi to the Great Dane that I had become so fond of. We bumped into Louis and owner at Vassals Park one day and Alfie and Louis immediately hit it off and never looked back. Louis used to spend holidays at our home and Alfie and Louis became best friends. Louis was an ambassador of the Dane breed such a gentle giant that will always be remembered!
Alice 8 months old
Alice was a foster that came to me due to deafness. I picked her up at 8 weeks of age and she lives with me as part of the family. I had never trained a deaf dog before so it was a great challenge for me to be able to teach a dog with sign language. Unfortunately Alice was diagnosed with vestibular syndrome and after raising funds to get Alice a much needed MRI (thank you to everyone that helped with the Alice appeal) Alice was diagnosed with a degenerative brain condition that was incurable. Alice stayed with us until she was 8 months old but due to the nature of her condition we had no option but to let her go. Alice was a pleasure to teach I still miss her all the time and am happy to have been able to help her for the short life she had.
Baxter 11 years old
Baxter started walking with us in 2013. For a good few years he enjoyed a group walk with us in the pack everyday whilst his owners were at work. Baxter loved his treats and his ball and was a great addition to any group of dogs. Baxter lived in Bath and he was diagnosed with a medical condition meaning he could only manage short walks when he was old so in 2017 Baxter started having reduced solo walks and these continued right through to 2019, where sadly Baxter left us for the bridge. Baxter was a very gently sole and we miss him!
Fly 10 years old
Fly joined us back in 2017 for group walks in Bristol. She was an older girl, and a rescue, but full of life! She fit straight into group walks, playing and running with the rest of the gang, especially if a ball was involved, and she definitely loved a treat or two. You could always tell when she was excited, as she would bark as loudly as possibly while wagging her tail. The only issue was trying to leave her, as she would paw at you if you dared to stop stroking her to leave! Every photograph of her she looked like she was grinning, the Bristol team will always remember her as full of joy and a waggy tail, and miss her greatly.