Jeff - PAT Dog

Jeff our Border Collie had friends all across the City , nationally - and in Freedom of Spirit via his "Annals of Jeff" articles - and we would like to pay tribute to him.

In his 15 years lifetime he was widely known and loved as a PAT dog, visiting the sick and elderly in nursing and residential homes for 10 years. Sensitive, understanding and kind he brought love and happiness to all that knew him. Using his Collie sensitivity he would pay special attention to people he thought were sad, ill or just needed extra loving - and would realise this before any humans.

All the local kids knew him as "the Football Dog" due to his cleverness at dribbling the ball and joining in - as one little girl said when she cuddled him "I love this dog". Children regularly crossed over to greet him - say hello etc. whilst ignoring the humans with him!!

He was a wonderful ambassador for dogs in the community.

Over and above that he was our lifelong best friend. A heart of gold and intelligence that was amazing, when he became distressed and unable to go on, we gave him peace and had him put to sleep on the last day of September 2004.

Do not be sad. We who knew him will always remember him.

JEFF PAT DOG

Jeff started visiting the elderly in 1992.

A friend of our family ran a Leonard Cheshire home in our City and invited us to call round. From that moment we called round every week!

Once enrolled as a PAT Dog Jeff became very well known and popular. One day a lady in the care home we visited had to go into hospital and asked for Jeff to visit her there. The Sister on the ward was very supportive and we went to the Infirmary as invited.

Whilst there other nurses asked us to visit additional care homes they helped out at. Of course Jeff only had 4 paws and was rushed off them! We needed help.

The PAT Dog people therefore asked us to organise some more members locally and so we started co-ordinating and before long we had lots of members and homes ringing up to join in.

Jeff visited two regular places every week for 10 years. Without his love and loyalty some of the frail people would have been very lonely and had no visitors at all. He always knew when someone felt especially 'down' and made an extra point of cuddling them.

Jeff was a super dog

In addition to his care home visits, Jeff also visited individual friends at home when asked to do so; people who could not get out and about and had 'care in the home' instead.

Here he is with a friend doing just that ...

Jeff also accompanied Sue on talks to local groups

about PETS AS THERAPY - which included

ladies' groups, kids organisations,

.. and also meant having fun at special Charity events

This year the charity

PETS AS THERAPY

celebrates 25 years of

care in the community.

Please pay them a visit.

JEFF 1989 - 2004

EPITAPH

About 20 minutes after Jeff passed away, a gentle shower of rain descended.

It was as if God was sending His sympathies before taking a caring, loving, gentle, faithful and courageous heart into His fold. . .

"See you later …………………………….Ta ra"