Bernard's Big Bad Bucket List Bonanza

08/09/2020

Well it’s just over a year since we learnt about Bernard’s illness and that we had just a short time left with him. We are so grateful to have these precious memories of him and his bucket list, we remember him everyday and miss him so much x

Amazingly, this page continues to generate new visitors; thank you for taking the time have a look and we hope you enjoy looking back on our beloved ginger’s final weeks x

26/11/2019

It’s been a tough couple of days. The speed of Bernard’s decline has been tough to take. Thank you for all of your lovely messages. I’m so glad you got to share in our journey. Those of you who were lucky enough to have met Big Ginge will keep a little piece of him with you x

We brought him home last night and against the odds, have managed to get him to the top of our very steep garden! He weighed 75kg so that was no mean feat!

He’s been laid to rest next to his brother Lord Guiness, so together they now look out over the beautiful Vale of Belvoir.

Dogs are such amazing creatures. Lady Sybil came and said her goodbyes without any prompting from us. She simply knew what to do.

We are sorry we didn’t get all of the ticks on the bucket list, but those we achieved have given us a lifetime of memories and helped Bernard to make the most of the time he had left, so mission accomplished.

We have now said our final goodbyes and thank him for the joy he gave us and the lessons he taught us over the last 5 years. Sleep tight Lord Bernard, our big ginger bear, it’s your time to run free over Rainbow Bridge 💔🐶🌈

24/11/2019

The post I never wanted to write.

Today we have said goodbye to the ginger legend, Lord Bernard. The pain is too much to bear right now and to say we are devastated is an understatement, we are heartbroken.

He developed breathing difficulties and collapsed at home. We got him quickly to the vets and he went safely and peacefully over rainbow bridge at 4pm.

Rest in peace Big Ginge 🐶 xx

21/11/2019

A tiny bit of obedience work 🐶

21/11/2019

21/11/2019

Feeling playful today 🐶

21/11/2019

I’m beginning to think this one is having us on with this whole cancer thing. Not behaving like a dying dog who’s living on borrowed time at all 🤣

Because of his intermittent tendency to be a bit of a dick, I don’t walk him any more, he’s pulled me over too many times. But today I decided to take him out and even let him off lead. He’s amazed me, playing with the ball and we even did a bit of obedience work and he’s still got it. What a boy he is 😍🐶😍

15/11/2019

Don’t tell Ginge, but something exciting is going on behind the scenes 🤫😉😬 🐏🐶.

14/11/2019

It’s been a quiet week chez Ginge as dad has been quite ill. Bernard has been chilling with Lady Syb and brother Leon and Fran. Work is going on behind the scenes to achieve the last few ticks.

In the mean time a small miracle appears to have happened. The wound that opened up on Bernard’s snout has now healed over. We were really worried when it appeared as it was obviously an infection risk. Syb has been working hard to keep it clean and it has paid off. So pleased, she’s such a clever girl 😊🐶🐶

10/11/2019

Fran Bryant having cuddles 🐶

10/11/2019

I genuinely never thought I’d see this day, but Bernard held out to see his big hooman brother, Leon. They were so happy to see each other after 8 months, and lady Sybil of course👨🏽‍🦱💕🐶💕🐶

10/11/2019

Lest we forget x

07/11/2019

Visit mum at work 🏥 ✔️
Go to a Pride festival 🌈 ✔️
Eat ice cream on the beach🍦 ✔️
Eat fish n chips on the beach 🐟✔️
Go to a doggy swimming pool 🐶 ✔️
Visit the Lake District 🏔 ✔️
Photo in a motorbike and side car🏍
Go to a Rock Choir Performance 🌟
Have a photo with Rammie and Ewie (Come on you Rams) 🐑
Climb a mountain (big hill)🏔
Travel on a train 🚞 ✔️
Get a doggie massage 💆‍♀️🐶✔️
Have a picture at the Knipton sign 🐶✔️
Have a photo with a famous Ginge 🐶
Curl up by the fire 🔥🐶✔️
Go to McDonald’s drive thru 🍟✔️
Eat a Melton Mowbray pork pie in Melton Mowbray 🥧

Slowly getting through it. Still taking it one day at a time x

07/11/2019

Evening all, just checking in. Bernard is doing ok still. No concerns except the tumour continues to grow.

We are currently working on the last few items on his list and will update when we have any developments. In the meantime, Bernard is at the cleaning station. Lady Sybil is such an attentive little doggy sister 🐶🐶😍

03/11/2019

Evening all! Sorry it’s been quiet on here this week. All is well, Bernard has been chilling since his swim session last weekend. Hes still having 2 walks a day and scoffing his food like he’s never been fed, and his tail continues to wag 😊

He’s got a small break in the skin on his snout where the tumour is starting to break through 🙁. We’re keeping a close eye on it as there’s obviously a high risk of infection. However, Lady Sybil continues to do a great job of keeping him clean 🐶🐶💖💙

28/10/2019

He especially enjoyed the post swim shower 🚿🐶🚿

28/10/2019

A few more from last night at the pool 💦🐶💦🐶

27/10/2019

Practicing for his Red badge 🐶

27/10/2019

Bernard was straight in, Sybil not so sure at first 🐶🐶

27/10/2019

Just a few pics for now, more to follow.

27/10/2019

Sherwood Canine Swim Centre

Just wow! Bernard and Sybil have had THE best time at the pool. Completely overwhelmed with the generosity of the team at Sherwood Canine Hydrotherapy Centre. Not only did they not charge us, but they also gave Bernard a lovely gift , which he and Syb are enjoying, cosied up by the fire.
Thanks also to Yvonne and Graham, who became official photographers 😂
If Bernard is up to it, we will take him again. Pics to follow 🐶🐾🐶🐾💦💦💦

https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodcanine.hydrotherapy/

�We are a Canine Swim Centre offering fun/fitness swims and hydrotherapy sessions with fully qualified canine hydrotherapists�
Contact us on: 01623 239002

27/10/2019

Excited and ready for their trip to the swimming pool later 🐶🐶💦💦🐾🐾

If you’re coming to watch, 6.30 at Sherwood Canine Hydrotherapy Centre 😊

http://www.eastmidlandshydrotherapy.co.uk/contact-us