Basil and Becky had to be put to sleep through illness in early September 2015. Becky was 16 years old and Basil 15 so they had a long and happy life.

We collected Basil and Becky in an 11 hr round trip from Dunfermline; they came as a pair and got along well with Becky being the boss and Basil understanding this. Basil would be very possessive of any toys that he got and Becky would destroy hers and then go after his – this also included food, but Basil had already decided she could have that rather than fight her for it.

They were not used to play but soon became excited about trips to the beach and the park where they had hours of fun chasing balls, sticks and the occasional seagull. Basil did have a habit of finding all sorts of animals and unfortunately they came off worse including the local Hedgehog population. They were typical Springers liking to run and run and you could bet that Becky would find the smelliest dirtiest water/mud to wallow in, she needed many baths after her walks. They were a joy to have and were company when you were on your own. We travelled around Scotland and they saw much of the beautiful countryside, relishing the sights, sounds and smells they came across. Becky did not always enjoy the trips as she was a bit car sick.

When we moved back to England 3 years ago they travelled well but they were already starting to slow down. We moved to be nearer family and they took to having more visitors and to our new Grandson very well; he loved them to bits and could always be found giving them a hug or just standing with them with his hand on their backs. They continued to enjoy many country walks and runs through the fields until they became to0 sore to do more than the walk round the block.

Through a series of problems they slowly became sicker and sicker. They were up for whatever, even towards the end, however the last week proved to be a challenge. We found it very hard to make the decision but knew in the end it was right.

This is the last photo taken of them.

They are, and always will be, our beautiful babies and are irreplaceable – we miss them every day.

We were devastated to have to put our lovely Springer Spaniel Brandy (aka Bradders) to sleep in August after 10 fun filled years with him. We picked him up from the Kennels in Warrington just after my husband and I got married 10 years ago when he was 3, and he settled with us at our little house on the North Wales coast straight away.

He was a handsome chap who didn’t seem to age at all as he’d often get mistaken for a pup even in his later years, but also was a loyal, sensitive soul who was always around for a cuddle and fuss, as well as for endless games of fetch with his beloved tennis ball.. He was bilingual too – able to understand welsh and English – a clever boy!!!

Bradders became a doggy brother to our 3 daughters and taught them to love dogs just as much as we do – the 4 of them would love going to the beach and on countryside walks together paddling in the sea or chasing sticks in the river, or cuddling up at home with each other.

In his old age Brads became a little blind, deaf, and lumpy but still was a happy lively boy. In August we noticed a deterioration really quickly and knew the most dreaded time had come. The day we had him put to sleep was one of the saddest days for our family and we all miss him dreadfully – our house is not the same without the Bradmeister.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to NWESSR for giving us a super special dog that we will never forget – we know he’s up there chasing his tennis ball and pinching food having a whale of a time with his Springer pals.

Claire, Einion, Elin, Millie, and Alys Huws xxxxx

It is with very sad hearts that we write to tell you that our wonderful and beloved companion, Mel, was put to sleep, aged 13, on Friday, 11^th September 2015.

It was on 11^th December 2004 that we made the 250 mile journey from the west coast of Scotland to Rose Tree Kennels, Warrington. As our car stopped in the car park the dog standing at the foot of the kennel run was Mel. Our journey home with Mel was uneventful. That was all to change. Mel was over active and very deaf when it suited her. She squealed a lot and was a real Houdini, being able to extract herself from any harness. With a lot of hard work that was all to change. She became an obedient and very loving dog. Mel hated cats with a vengeance. Yet a friend’s ginger cat, Pepper, was to become her best friend.  

We even developed our own version of canicross so that she could get sufficient exercise on the hills behind our town. Mel enjoyed many holidays in the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and the North York Moors. On the first day we were looking after our new granddaughter, Julia, we could not find Mel. Eventually we found her lying behind the door of the room in which Julia was sleeping – on guard duty.

Mel appeared in six North West Springer Rescue calendars and on six Christmas cards.

Thank you for giving us such a loving and faithful companion and friend.

Nanette and George

Hello,

Sadly I write to let you know that our beloved Freckle passed recently.

We collected him from you a little over four years ago and he has been the most wonderful companion to us and we miss him dreadfully.  He had a short illness and went downhill very quickly – although extensive tests did not give a definitive diagnosis the veterinary hospital felt it was a rarer type of cancer.  The house feels so empty without him.

Thank you for providing us with such a lovely friend.

With kind regards

Georgi

It is with an extremely sad and heavy heart that we must inform you that our beloved little man Bruno has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

He came to us at the ripe age of 12 and had three legs. But being a true Springer, he didn’t let this stop him and he gave life his all. He brought such love and happiness to us all and everyone he met (especially the ladies) fell in love with him. He was the most loving, affectionate dog you would care to meet. He was a cheeky little character and would always know when anyone needed cheering up and was there to give his love and cuddles whenever needed.

Unfortunately, time is cruel, and the strain on him having three legs eventually started to take it’s toll. So on 11/08/15, we made the hardest decision; Bruno was put to sleep whilst he was still Bruno, before he became a shell of himself or before he lost dignity. It has absolutely crucified us all! There is a massive hole in our lives that he once occupied to the full! His “siblings” are also feeling the loss as they keep looking for him.

“Goodnight our little man, we love you and will see you again across that Rainbow Bridge one day!”

Love Claire, Iain & Jack xx

Hi All,

Brekin the Bowlegged Spaniel.

We fostered Brekin some 6yrs ago and he has been a special dog in our lives. Our fourth Springer, but we felt we would rather have an older dog to avoid the joys(?) of springer puppyhood at our age.

Brek came to us at estimated age of 10 and barked all the way home in the back of the car, after leaping in the back like a rocket. He was well trained in the past and would walk to heel, off lead, obey all the usual commands from day one.

He was addicted to tennis balls and searched the brambles around the local club, bringing out plunder in various states of repair, which, unfortunately, his only bad trait, he would never give up until he was ready, when he would flick the ball across the floor with his nose.

He followed Margaret around like a shadow, even to the loo!

He came to us with arthritis which we kept at bay with glucosomine and regular walks, but this past 12 months saw deterioration to the extent of getting a buggy for him so that we could all walk together, causing some amusement and surprise with passers-by, as borne out by the photo taken at Tintagel.

He was never incontinent or ill, but this past week saw an even greater decline and we were almost decided to take him to the vets, when he had a fit in the small hours and died in the car travelling to the emergency vet.

Thanks for loaning him to us,

John & Margaret Hunter