31/05/2025
I’ve been in the dog walking business for 9 & a half years now, and it is recently that it’s dawned on me how many furry friends I’ve had the pleasure of looking after; past and present. Some still with me on this journey and others who have sadly left us to join the angels over the rainbow bridge.
This realisation particularly hits home with the loss of this beautiful boy; Brady. Beagle owners Jenny and Dan sadly had to say goodbye to their precious boy last Tuesday evening. 🌈 This one weighs heavy on my heart as I’ve always had a soft spot for Brady. I think it’s because he was a Beagle like my late Shankly, but he also appeared to have such a special bond with my boy too. I’ve always believed that certain dog breeds have that immediate recognition and bond with their own kind ❤️
This “bromance” blossomed from the moment they met and myself and Jenny (Brady’s owner) would often joke calling them “besties.” I truly believe they were. Sometimes they would acknowledge each other and hang out, other times they would go off separately to sniff and have a nosy in search of some unsuspecting squirrels 😂 They were so cute together and their furry friendship never seem to waver over the years ❤️
Oh Brady boy, I have so many lovely things to say about you my friend. You were such a laid back boy, in fact so laid back I’d say you were practically horizontal lol. I’ve always admired how unbelievably chilled you were for a Beagle. I would witness you ambling along behind the very energetic Spaniels who would be doing there usual “zoomies” around the field, then once you realised you were missing out on all the fun, you would suddenly spring into a gallop to try and urgently catch up with your speedy pals as if to say “wait for me!!” It was so cute how you would speed up, kicking your back legs in the air as you ran like a slightly overweight, short legged gazelle, only to give up the chase and go back to sniffing again 😂 Your pals always went back to check on you though and to make sure you were included. You were always so loved by the other doggies and got along with all of them. You were never any trouble to take on group walks ❤️
I also became vastly and amusingly aware of the more mischievous side of you. It didn’t take you long to cleverly cotton on to me approaching you to round you up and put you back on the lead when the walk for that day was nearing its end. Oh yes, you weren’t daft my friend. You had the knack of successfully dodging me when I was trying to put you back on your lead to head back for the car when clearly, you weren’t ready to finish your sniffing for the day. I recall with amusement on one occasion, trying to chase you down in the snow to get you back on the lead; it was particularly difficult for me to catch up with you on that day and my heaving steps were causing my wellies to sink into the soft snow and you knew it didn’t you, I saw you glancing back at me with that smug and mischievous look on your face that you outsmarted me. Even when I finally caught up with you and reached out to clip on your lead, you cheekily managed to swerve my grip last minute and I fell head first into the deep snow. It was hilarious and the whole scene must have looked like something out of ‘You’ve Been Framed!!’ 😂 Your mum Jenny was chuckling uncontrollably at the very sight of my flushed face and snow covered attire 😂 I have to admit, it made me howl laughing as well 😂 Think I needed a lie down after that walk haha!!
You also liked the occasional sing song in the car travelling to and from walks; I think my favourite has to be when I was playing the soundtrack from the film Bohemian Rhapsody. As soon as the Queen track “Radio Ga Ga” came on, your baying arroooooooooo turned into a very tuneful howl along to the popular melody, and I could hardly contain myself and “howled” laughing at your “performance.” It didn’t take l;one for you to set off the other doggies in the car. If I recall there was my Shankly and also Harley in the car, all having a good old sing song that would make Freddie Mercury proud I’m sure. It definitely made me smile and I still have the video as evidence 🎶🐶🐾😂
I hope this little tribute does you justice Brady. I can feel the emotion welling up inside me as I recall how, in recent months you were starting to slow down a bit. Old age rearing its ugly head but still, you seemed perfectly content to keep going, chilling out with the other dogs. This time, you plodded on, fondly watching the other doggies play while you would stand next to me and allow me to tickle your ears. I could see you were getting tired bless you. I had no idea over a week ago that it would be my last walk with you, but for some reason, it’s like my intuition was telling me to give you more cuddles than usual; and I’m so pleased I did. It will stay fondly in my heart forever.
Oh Brady my walks will not be the same without you my friend. I know in my heart that your doggy parents Jenny and Dan loved you very much and you were equally idolised by your hooman brother Ollie and hooman sister Darci. I’m sure you’ve given them such treasured memories like you’ve given me ❤️
Run free over that rainbow bridge beautiful boy, go and join my precious Shankly and the other buddies you’ve made over the years. Go and play and be free. 🐶🐾🌈
Lots of love, your friend Vicky ###xx
