It is with a very heavy heart that Sandra and Allen have to share news of the sad passing of Golden Retriever Rookie. With all the family around him he was PTS on Saturday evening.
Rookie has been with the charity since its founding days. Along side our other original reservist dogs Ikea, Clooney, Berkeley and Quilla, young Rookie worked tirelessly alongside Allen and EJ to raise awareness and funds for the charity. Representing and attending events up and down the length and breadth of the Country, he helped the charity raise it's profile and much needed funds.
He became a firm favourite with all he met on his travels, especially children because of his extremely kind and gentle nature. He helped many children overcome their fear of dogs and was often seen with a young child giving him a huge bear hug.
After EJ's passing, Rookie stepped up to become mentor to Allen's current dog ET and became a shining example of what an assistant dog should be. We know that ET will miss Rookie terribly as they had become such a close team and enjoyed each others companionship.
Having just had a cracking fun filled family Christmas, where Rookie was still always at the fridge door when it was opened in hope of that wee bit of turkey. He remained so quick and mentally alert even up until his final hours.
Only last week Rookie had bounded into the charity HQ at the start of the new year in his usual enthusiastic way, a place that had become his home from home.
The saddest reality of life is that dogs don't live as long as us and when that time comes to say goodbye it is never easy. Having looked back through his life in photos it is so obvious that he lived a full, purposeful and actioned packed life. Whether it be at an airport, the Houses of Parliament, Crufts, Schools, Hospitals or on Military establishments Rookie was a familiar and most welcomed dog, winning the hearts and minds wherever.
Thank you so much Rookie for your nearly 14 years of unconditional love, devotion and staunch loyalty which will remain with us for ever.
Even in his retirement years he remained Mischievous, occasionally bloody minded and stubborn...he really was a true Golden Retriever to the very end.
"If our lives were made into a tapestry
Then our dogs story would be the brightest
Of golden threads running through it"
Today there is golden thread in the Parton's tapestry that glows extremely brightly.
Thank you our faithful friend, forever in our hearts. Sleep and rest well your duties done. Tonight there is a bright new star in Heaven xxx
