Andy Bolton

THANKSGIVING FOR ANDY’S LIFE

Andy’s life was celebrated at his funeral on 3 rd October 2019 at Gornal Woods Crematorium, Dudley, with the service lead by Fr Mark Liddell.

Val and family wished to express their sincere thanks and love to everyone who had provided support to them during such a difficult time.

It was a cold, windy and grey day but, at least, the rain held off.

Donations in Memory of Andrew went to Rainbow Dog Rescue, a relatively new and very needy local charity. They help rescue cats there too and have a no-kill policy. Unsurprisingly, the chapel was full so, hopefully, Rainbow Rescue will have had a good number of generous donations.

The music on entry was “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton. Needless to say, emotions were running high and there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere. The tears continued to fall during the welcome and opening prayer.

A very fitting “The Lord’s My Shepherd” was followed by a reading and then a eulogy “Memories and Thoughts” given by Mark Jones, who had been a close friend and colleague of Andy’s for some 25yrs.

He gave a moving account of what a lovely man Andy was. Mark referred to him as the “dog whisperer”, mentioning his often very long round trips to meet the Irish ferry. He also told of all the dogs Andy had loved and the way they all took to him instantly. It was both interesting and moving to hear him speak about what great times they had had together After the Homily and The Lord’s Prayer, the most perfect hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful” was sung by the tearful congregation.

Following the Committal and Blessing, the beautiful “Time to Say Goodbye” sung by Il Divo was played as everyone exited.

Afterwards, people were we share fond memories of Andy’s life.

Lorna Coldicott attended the funeral as a representative of all the many people unable to attend but who were eternally grateful to Andy for making sure their beloved IRR and Oldies Club rescue dogs had been so well looked after and loved to bits whilst in foster care with him and his Mum.

Lorna was really grateful to Andy. He fostered her dogs, Ben and Zena together and later another Golden Retriever, Merlin and helped in transporting Della who he referred to as an honorary GR. Andy would always take her dogs to their forever home with her. This was because Lorna’s daughter, Rachel, couldn’t travel, being too poorly herself at the time. Andy was ever willing and helpful and Val accompanied him a couple of times too. Nothing was ever too much trouble for this very kind man.

Andy often stayed with Sandie in Ireland, always bringing dogs back with him. He particularly loved her dogs several of whom will be awaiting him at Rainbow Bridge…Shannon, Isabelle, Jessica, Anouska, Tina and Barkley.

HE WAS TAKEN FAR TOO SOON

It seemed unbelievable to everyone when we heard of the passing of Andy, but, of course, the biggest shock was for his poor Mum, Val, who discovered that Andy had passed away peacefully in his sleep. He had battled illness for a couple of years, overcoming sepsis after a stay in hospital and having been recently diagnosed with type one diabetes but, despite this, nobody imagined he was so near the end of his life.

Andy, a quiet, unassuming, gentle and rather shy man was very much loved by his family and all his many friends but, most especially, he was adored by the hundred of dogs he fostered, together with his Mum, for Irish Retriever Rescue and later for The Oldies Club.

Apart from caring for all the dogs until permanent homes could be found for them, he also travelled many hundreds of miles transporting them from Ireland and to many different places in the UK. The word “no” was not in his vocabulary and he was always willing to turn out at “silly o’clock” to meet the van which had taken the 3 hour, 9pm ferry from Dublin.

Andy was also more than happy to lend a hand at the IRR Reunions where he and Val were always hugely delighted to be reunited with their past foster dogs. The dogs were always just as happy to meet up with them again too.

Andy was particularly good at running the “Fun and Games” for the dogs at the Bath IRR Reunions and he was, clearly, especially delighted to see dogs who had once been traumatized and badly treated that were now rehabilitated, in good health and positively enjoying life to the full.

THE CARING FOSTERER

How special is the fosterer who nutures waifs and strays?
He gives them love and shows them all the quirks of human ways
He nurses those who are quite ill until he gets them well
He knows this poor dependent soul has been through living hell

For those too weak he’ll nurse them and he will build them up
No matter if they’re very old or just a little pup
If there is one who needs him, he’ll never turn his back
He knows the way to make them whole, he really has the knack
Some haven’t lived indoors before so pee upon his floor
But they learn fast as he knows well it’s something to ignore
Smudge, his dog’s a master at teaching what to do
And very soon the foster dog is fully housetrained too.
The teenage thug, no longer cute, who’s been deprived of training
With patient care, before too long, life’s skills he will be gaining
The older dog who was once loved when his breed was in fashion
So welcome as, for Andy, dogs are his everlasting passion
A lady from a puppy farm, her eyes are filled with pain
Thoughts of babies snatched away still driving her insane
Her bed had been of mouldy straw in cold and draughty stable
She panics at a human voice and hides under the table
She backs away from food put down. It’s clear she has been kicked
The fosterer will leave her till the bowl is cleanly licked.
And every day the trust will build until the day will come
When she accepts a tasty treat from Val who she calls Mum
Her foster spell may be two weeks and then she will be ready
Whilst others have been so mixed up it’s months before they’re steady
He’s there no matter what it takes and how long it needs to be
He’s gentle, kind and selfless. His patience all can see
The homecheck done, new folks approved, and all is going well
But why, although he knows it’s best, is being brave sheer hell?
Each one a special boy or girl, he always loves them so
And now the clock is ticking on, it’s time to let them go.
A final hug and then he acts those smiley last goodbyes
He waves them off so happily then goes inside and cries
But he knows, as expected, there is no time for tears
The transport’s come and from it one more needy charge appears

It’s a certainty that Andy is now surrounded by love at Rainbow Bridge where he will have been warmly greeted by Smudge and many of his past foster dogs who have gained their angel wings. We suspect a much loved fellow fosterer and friend Belinda would have been there to welcome him too

REST IN PEACE, ANDY. WE ALL LOVED YOU

ANDY TRANSPORTER and FOSTERER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Andy and his mum Val have been fostering for IRR since our conception in 2005 expecting to foster a few dogs a year maybe. Andy is always willing to meet dogs off transport in the middle of the night and transport them to their foster home. He also does home checks and microchips as well as having the honour of fostering many more dogs for IRR than anyone else. On a few occasions, when Sandie has had an influx of dogs or has dogs who need “special care”, Andy has made the long trip over to Ireland to collect them.

At the beginning they were more than a little apprehensive, and have had to learn as they went along. Some of their guests presented them with a challenge, but they were the ones who gave them the greatest sense of satisfaction, when the dogs learnt to fully trust them, or returned to full health. They admit to still learning now, as each dog has different needs and their own unique personality.

Andy says. “The question we are always asked is……”how can you give them up?” and on many occasions it has been incredibly sad parting with them. Not having dogs of our own meant we were in a good position to accommodate most types of dog. It is this that allows us to wave goodbye to our wonderful furry friends, knowing that they are going to a great home, and there will always be another dog arriving soon in need of our help.

It is an experience we would not have missed for the world, and we hope to carry on as long as the IRR will have us. We have met lots of lovely people, many of them keeping us updated on how our dogs are, some even bringing them back to visit.”

Even on holiday in Turkey, Val could not resist having cuddles with the local canines.

Andy says “I have given this a little thought and have decided on these 2 pictures, which for me illustrate what it is all about, and why we foster…………a sort of before and after.”

However in July 2010, having not had a foster dog for a while Andy and Val decided to adopt Smudge who fits perfectly into their environment and is a wonderful, calm mentor for their foster dogs.