12/07/2026
Often in life, the most important lesson to be learned is right underneath our nose.
More important than any behaviour, any command and any reinforcement schedule.
Is the bond.
Comradeship between a man and his dog.
My brother Dane sadly lost his dog Tilla in a very unfortunate accident back in September during an innocent game of fetch.
It was devastating. The type of sadness you wish you could protect your loved ones from.
Tilla’s passing left a huge hole in my brother’s heart. It became clear he needed a companion. So he rehomed a failed working dog called Dusty, who needed love at the time, just as much as Dane did.
The part of this story that often gets left untold, is how patient you must be.
This is the reality of rehoming a dog - when you have not been around in the formative, learning periods. The dog must learn over a long while that you will be patient, and stick around while they figure things out for themselves.
Dusty required a-lot of patience, desexing, and constant companionship to allow him to uncover his true character. All of which Dane has provided.
Dusty was once terrified of the beach, of a field, and would always be on guard during walks.
While I would never wish the grief of a dog on anybody. At times it allows us as humans to uncover our character too. Thank you Dane, for giving Dusty the life he deserved!
May your sweet Tilla forever RIP 🤍
