It was a heartbreaking day when we had to say goodbye to Leia our faithful loyal loving little collie cross - who also knew her other name of 'little dog'.
We had the vets to the house as that was the absolute least she deserved. She passed away on my lap getting a double ear rub on the kitchen floor in front of the Rayburn with me telling her how much she was loved and how loyal she had been. As she passed I told her of all the lovely times we'd had and the places she'd been to..... I was heartbroken.
She was our dog, a loyal family dog. Central to the family full of love devotion and attention to us all unconditional affection.
In her latter years she had gone deaf - something I have latterly learnt is a common affliction for Collie dogs. She was also suffering from doggie dementia - also common on older dogs. Her back hips were also sore which is another common Alsatian issue and we think she had a bit of that breed in her. She was still eating and happy for very short ambles down the lane and into the cow field behind the cottage. She had a good life did more than many dogs and travelled extensively with us both on the boat and in the car.
I first met her on the 15th May 2008 - 12.42pm at an animal rescue centre in Derby. She was from a puppy farm in Ireland - her mum obviously having been caught by not another collie dog. She was with brothers and sisters, she came to the fence and licked my fingers and she has a distinctive mark on her nose.
She was the one, and soon joined our home in Derby.
I've searched my photo library for pictures and have a separate library of over 660 photos and 21 videos, all precious memories - here are a few to remember her by.
Her first trip on Waterlily - she loved the boat and not the water which was a good mix ! Being so close to us was her favourite place and the boat gave her that. She'd stand all day on the back with me or Rachel.
Leia spend quite some time with John and Carries dogs Prince and Bailey. She ran loose with them at their farm in south west Scotland, Prince showed her how to heard cows !! They also came on our boats together, Prince and Bailey loved the boat and the water ! She was never very keen on other dogs other than two - Prince who was a gentleman friend to her, he really did look out for her Bailey was soo jealous.
Her other doggie friend was Bonnie, Mandy's much loved and travelled doggie who sadly passed just before Leia. They shared sniffing sessions at both Fradley and Shebdon where our boats were moored. Here they are posing for Mandy at Fradley
Leia was so patient and knew the drill at locks, on the boat or off the boat - precious memories
She had her favourite position on our boats
A favourite picture
She soon found her place on Percy
Another favourite pose and location this time in our cottage in the South Downs
She was very rarely naughty but she knew when she's incurred our displeasure
Up in the north of Scotland
This was on a walk to West Wittering beach on the south coast with Sharon and Andy
A treat in the morning was being allowed on the bed and she took full advantage
She shared our homes with two cats - Tamsin here and latterly Lilly who she got on with very well
She was a family dog, here with Tom and Courtney on Percy just after we had Percy
She had a special bond with Callum our youngest - Scotland
She visited Wales often to stay with us and Rachels dad
She was always on the look out for squirrels
Lock Wheeling with Rachel - always so well behaved
She was a big part of our family
Visiting Callum with my mum in Leeds. She mopped up the disgusting kitchen floor at one of Callum's student digs and made her self sick ( both ends !)
She took liberties which we allowed !
She soon found the fire on Percy
At at East Dean
She'd sleep outside on the landing at the cottage in the Downs while I worked sharing her bed with Lilly
... another South Downs walk
With Callum at the West Ashling cottage - no real invite needed for a head rub on a bed
On watch at East Dean
Loyalty both ways
Leia was an excellent mouser - she'd often alert us to a mouse in the house brought in by Lilly. When we lost it she's find it instantly by smell and she's be soo excited her bark went up to a high pitched yelp ..
In the East Dean cottage garden resting after some frantic tennis ball action
She loved our Garden at Beech Drive - in the evening as we let he out for a last wee she'd charge to the bottom barking at nothing in particular
C'mon lets get going !
This time in Greenwich on the Meridian line
On the Churnet valley steam train with Emma and Callum
She often let us share her seatee
Meeting Adam and Adrian at Consall
The trig point overlooking Goodwood racecourse
This one is with Charlotte at Bosham on the south coast - a favourite walk and one we did from West Ashling a few times where Rachel would pick us up after work ( for her)
We walked miles and miles all without drama enjoying the countryside
Her place on Percy overnight - she's always waited to be invite on for the night
Waiting to board Percy at the bridge holes, we'd often take it in turns walking Leia while the other steered the boat
She was our little dog and just small enough to pick up for the odd photo
She was never far away when the picnic came out
On the rare time when we could not take her with us ( flying mainly or the bike) she holidayed at Sharons place in Derby where she loved the large garden and I understand also slept on the bed !
Crossing from England into wales on the Llangollen canal in 2020
Her last seaside holiday to Cardigan bay New Years day 2022
My goodness she was a well traveled dog
The last winter when she could not climb the stair to sleep next to us we kept the Rayburn on 24/7 and again she found her spot.
A flashback of her ever present place on the boat - she'd not tolerate being inside if we were moving !
She got slower and her walks were just up and down the lane having a sniff - she still enjoyed life
.. but how she loved a fire !
Her last trip was to Buxton where she shared our anniversary treat at the Crescent hotel
A lovely picture of Leia Rachel and Percy on the Shroppie
Leai spent many hours travelling between the Midlands and the south coast. She'd be up with me at 4.45am and on the road at 5.20am Drive from Chichester to Fradley where she'd get a walk while the fire was getting going. She'd relax waiting for me to come back from work and then we'd walk to Common lock or up the woods on the offside at Shadehouse lock - happy memories ( not the getting up at 4.45am!)
The photo below she wasn't coming on that trip but wanted to so hopped into the car !
We had some great walks from Shebdon to Norbury junction where she's always get the sausage from my breakfast !
She tolerated the bed on the roof as latterly she was too shaky on her legs to stand on the back when we went cruising
Winter 2020 up on the Staffordshire moorlands - Rachel always made her wear her coat in the winter !
Our last picture together - Princess Leia a truly beautiful loyal dog who we miss so very much.
