22/10/2026
9 years ago Bitz had to leave this life, it still makes me sad but also fills me with happiness that i got to share my life with him.
Never underestimate the effect a dog can have on your life, especially a rescue dog that has been to hell and come out of the other end a good happy dog.
Below is what i wrote about him, my beautiful, faithful, shadow protector ###x
Make the most of the short time your dog has with you, do more with them, take them on adventures, make their life special.
Goodbye Mr Bitzy (alias...Big dog, Mr Bigley, Doughnut, and many other silly names)
We had some amazing adventures, so sad you have gone but glad you will never know pain again.
At 9pm last night the vet came and put you to sleep, yesterday you had perked up and I thought we might have some time left...We took a visit to the orchard where some friends new and old came to visit you. Then I took you to the river, this was our favourite place and you had one last run and one last paddle in the Severn. When we came home you became uncomfortable and started to pace, you just wanted to go outside, I knew it was time. I am so sorry that I didn't ring the vet sooner, Its just so hard to say goodbye.
You went outside and sniffed at the wind and looked into the sky, I knew that Ruby and Snippy and Biskit and Custard were calling for you. It makes me heart glad to know you are with them.
The first time I saw you you were a starved and terrified puppy of about 5 months old, you were so scared I couldn't bear to leave you in the stray kennels. You had been kept in a shed, probably since the day you were born and you were starved, your claws were worn to nothing from trying get out. It broke my heart to see your terror of the world and people. I fostered you at the farm and tried to find a home but no one wanted a scared puppy. I was going to Portugal and asked Teckels to take you, leaving you there so terrified was awful, and when I got to Portugal I rang and told teckels I had to have you back when I got home...
And that is how you came to live with me, you have been my constant shadow over the last 11 and half years. You were so loyal and devoted to me, always at my side....sometimes you drove me a bit mad following me about especially on a 50 foot narrowboat! But I wouldn't have had you any other way....
We had so many happy times, soo many adventures, you got to see a lot of Scotland and wales and travelled the canal systems with me, we canoed, we scaled mountains together, we swam in many different waters.
I could say so much more about you but my heart is breaking, so maybe I will tell more stories of you when I can think of you without crying.
Rest well my big dog, Flea and Moose are very sad today....we wish you could have stayed.
Goodbye Mr Bigley
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