21/11/2025
Today my heart is completely shattered.
Cinders has gone to sleep.
The first picture is just three days ago, she was such a bloody matriarch she hid her pain from everyone. A true queen. She had cancer of the mouth, multiple lesions. Ain't no coming back from that. Silly madam why didn't you tell us!! :( zero signs of pain until she went off her food a few days ago, and the stinky breathe came. How bloody long had you been hiding it madam?! :( you were only at the vet two weeks ago for a wart on your lip (you are still beautiful warts n all)
"It's just a dog, it's just a job" - nope that's my best mate.
I first met cinders over 10 years ago, when I was told to "just go into her stable and get her" after never even meeting her before. Yep, I was scared!! But, she was SO excited to see me and there started our journey of friendship.
Two walks in, we were walking through a field of sheep and her leather colllar snapped from where she was pulling so much, cue TERRIFIED there was going to be a sheep massacre; I barely knew her at all at that point! But no, she stuck by my side whilst we got through the field as bemused as I was that she wasn't on a lead.
Then, she had to find a new home - I was offered her but had two small dogs at the time (little chris the legend at 17 still going), and, she was INCREDIBLY dog reactive; it broke my heart but I had to say no. To my absolute joy, the lovely couple that took her on asked me to keep working with her 5 days a week. OF COURSE I said yes.
Some funny moments: she came with me to a dog training course and scared other "trainers" out of a field because she was wearing a muzzle. Yep. I kid you not!! She did nothing wrong but, that's the quality of some of these "accredited trainers!". Was hilarious, and both cinders and I were very insulted (not!) 😆
During that same 3 day training course she nearly landed me a job in a Malta prison as, one of their dog handlers had come over to the UK for the same course and, well we just clicked (I'm sure Cinders helped!!!) but alas, it was not meant to be. I still wonder to this day how different life would have been if I had taken him up on the offer.
I had to rescue her from the top of a spiral staircase because she went up, and couldn't get down!
She has watched my children grow up, doing what good shepherd's do and keeping an eye on them at ALL TIMES, gently rounding them up and keeping them close. One of her favourite games was "hide and seek" where Leo would hide up a tree and she would go and find him 😆
Cinders taught me more about dog Reactivity than any other dog; she went from the most reactive dog, to a dog that is best friends with mine and even shared a bed with them at my house (yes, my bed. A king size bed with three dogs meant I had about two inches but, best nights ever; doggy cuddles are so much better than stupid men 😆🤭) we were due another sleep over next month and, I'll save a space for you anyway ❤️
Cinders was a dog I could walk without a lead and. For the last year I didn't even bother taking one with me because we were THAT connected.
Cinders, there will never ever be another dog like you.
When my tears stop falling I know ill look back on the last ten years with a smile on my face.
Sleep tight princess. Love you forever, and it goes without saying, the biggest thank you to your mum and dad for trusting me with you and letting me be a big part of your life. You really were my best bud
😭💔
