A perfect life ..

Usually blogs are written in house but this arrived and the owner has given permission for the words the be used to describe the life of their much loved Cuckavalda cocker spaniel It is with the heaviest of hearts, that today, we said our final goodbye to our beautiful, loving .... She could look into your soul, and know what to do to cheer you up, make you laugh or, to cuddle and love you with all her heart. She never once wagged with just her tail… the whole body wiggled with happiness and excitement. Play a game of fetch and you were in for the long haul! I used to mark it Human 0 - Dog 1 (often more!). And if she found a stick… well SIZE DID MATTER! She’s never left my side and seen me through thick and thin. She loved ... from the moment she met him (that’s how I knew he was the one for me!). Then she was our ring bearer at our wedding. Out of both of the best men we had, we still knew 4 paws were the most reliable option (only kidding guys, but she was far prettier than you, and got the most Aww’s of the whole day!). She was great with the elderly, often taking full advantage of rich tea biscuits given to her, and fab with kids, often sat under a high chair just to save parents having to tidy up! Thank you to everyone whose given her the best life! Her breeders, the vets (there have been many!), groomers, dog walkers, and to our friends & family who have looked after and loved her whilst she holidayed with you. Finally to my parents who looked after her so well, where she wanted for nothing, whilst I travelled around the world. The day she loved most, was a day out shooting, followed by a tin of tuna, or smoked salmon or ham! A sleep next to the fire and getting the last sips of a glass of Prosecco (or wine, or whiskey, or… well you get the picture). So tonight, we shall raise a glass to Cuckavalda ...... for being one in a million! We miss you with all our hearts, sleep tight .... 05.06.2011 - 19.01.2024 Thank you for breeding the best dog ever! She’s missed so much already.

Sleep peacefully dear Tina

Most of our dogs retire to a life of luxury and Tina was one of those. She was so special .She was our first fox red Labrador and the start of Cuckavalda along with her sisters May and later Willow. Both her sisters have passed in the last year. Reckon they went to suss things out Heaven out for their big sister. She was the biggest and strongest of the 3. Very protective of her young, but the gentlest dog with those she loved and loved her. Her proper name was Jakoranda Moment and came from the Peel family. Jack had always wanted to call his first born child Tina, but it didn't happen so felt apted when naming his first Labrador to call her Tina .The sister who came with her was May, well it was the month of May so it made sense. Willow came a few months later and was already called Willow so we stuck with it. Tina was the mother of the first Labrador pups we had and from that litter of 8, we kept Tara and Hidi. Unfortuanalety Hidi is no longer here . Tara is still going strong carrrying the genes of her mother and lives in 5 star luxury not too far from us. May had a litter the following year and Finn was one of her pups who is also a dog in a million and still going strong.He still works and sires puppies .He turned 11 this year but is getting a few white whiskers now. While Willow didnt have any puppies until she was 5. It is always sad to lose our pets.So our thoughts go out tonight to Denny McAllister and her husband Ross. - who locals will know as Denise Auger, who's mum used to own the White Horse in Ampleforth. Her grandparents lived in this house. Anna went to school with Denise and they had been friends now for over 60 years. So when it came a time to retire Tina it just seems a right match. We were regularly sent photos of her sat on the settee and lazing in the garden. Truly loved and so well look after we couldnt have asked for more. Often we get emails asking for our retirees. But they dont just go anywhere. Some people think they have a right ...goodness knows why as we dont know them or anything to do with them or havent come through someone we know .Why would we entrust our dogs to someone we dont know. Just because they may work at a posh place or know the inside out and outside in of a dog ,that doesnt cut the cloth with us. Here are a few photos showing Tina through her life.