Today is a very sad day as we lost a very dear friend last night. Our beloved angel, Alfie has left us to be at the Bridge.

As some of you were aware, Alfie has been unwell for some time. We have been doing our very best to see him through this tough time and we honestly thought we were winning the battle. Unfortunately Alfie’s little body just gave out last night. His heart was tired and just couldn’t go on. Alfie went peacefully in his sleep, sitting by us on his sofa. There was no pain, no suffering and no warning.

We are overwhelmed with grief. Although we only had Alfie for a short time, it feels as though he has been a part of our family for years. We loved him so much and cannot imagine our lives without him. There is an emptiness we feel today – a void that used to be filled with a routine. There are so many little reminders around the house that everywhere we turn we are reminded of him. The sofa where he used to lay, the kitchen counter where we prepared his food, the spot at the bottom of the stairs where he would wait for us if we had gone up for something without him. He is everywhere.

We knew from the first moment we saw Alfie’s picture on the rescue website that we wanted him. When he came into our lives we didn’t know what exactly to expect. It took just a couple of days for him to start relaxing and blending into our family. Soon he was curling up with Denny & Charlie for naps. He would come into the kitchen and bark his little “Arf, Arf!” when he was hungry and we were taking too long to get his dinner ready. His voice was something he used right up until his final days. Alfie lost the use of his legs a week ago, but not his voice. He would call us to him whenever he needed anything. This was no coincidence. If he was warm he would bark, if he was cold he would do the same – something which we would confirm by taking his temperature which we needed to do routinely. If we left the room for too long, he would call us back with his bark and once he saw us he would settle back down for a nap, knowing we were close by. If we made too much noise in the kitchen he would bark to say “keep it down.” He never lost his spirit or his sense of humor.

He tolerated so much in these last days. We had been syringe feeding him for the last couple of months. He knew we were helping him and didn’t mind it. He tolerated the endless pills and toward the end he tolerated us giving him the injections and IVs. He trusted us and allowed us to do what we could to try and help him. We made sure that we did everything we could to make him comfortable. We gave him round the clock care at home so that he did not have to go into hospital. There was always one of us at his side. Unfortunately we were not able to save him, but at least we know he didn’t suffer.

We know from personal experience that the grief does ease. The pain lessens a bit every day and you are left with the sweet memories. However, we cannot think that far ahead today. Today all we can think of is how much it hurts and how our lives will never be the same because of him.

Alfie left quite a legacy. More than just a pet, he was the impetus for PugHearts rescue. He touched so many people’s lives and made them want to do something for unwanted pugs everywhere. Cindy, our dear friend and Alfie’s former foster Mom, was inspired to found PugHearts. Strangers who would meet Alfie in the store or at a park would find themselves drawn to him. We would tell his story of being found wandering the streets alone and neglected and it would bring a tear to their eyes. Many people would say the same thing “How could anybody do that to a dog?” Alfie still bore the scars of his ordeal. His legs, his eyes and most damning – his heart. Not that this stopped Alfie. He was a fighter. And a champion for his brethren. Because of him, there are new homes for many previously discarded Pugs. That work will continue because of him. His memory will remain with all of us each and every day, during each and every rescue. It’s all because of Alfie.

We are so much richer for having known this very special boy. We tried to give him the kind of life he deserved, and we think he was happy. But we have gained so much more out of this than we have given. A priceless gift – pure, unconditional love. We have truly been blessed to have this sweet boy a part of our family, no matter how short of a time it was. He has made us better people: more patient, more tolerant, more compassionate.

Now we find ourselves having to find a way to say goodbye. We are saying goodbye to the physical Alfie, but not the spiritual. We feel him with us even now and know that he will always be with us. His spirit will live on forever in our hearts. We are so thankful for this sweet, precious angel and the brief time we had with him. We love you Alfie.