Cassie Hayward

SUCH TRAGIC NEWS (25.9.2019)

On Wednesday, September 25th, David wrote to us saying, “We have had a very sad day, because we had to put our beautiful Cassie to sleep. She had cancer in her lungs, for which there was nothing that could be done. It was a real shame because our beautiful Cassie was only 5 years old.

For those who can remember, we had 3 dogs from Romania, Lucy, Jilly and Tina (changed to Cassie). She had a litter of pups and stayed with Pat in Hastings for the duration. In Romania, one of the other rescued dogs got to her before she had been neutered. Pat took control and all the pups found new homes.

We still have Cassie’s 5 year old sister Lucy and Jilly who is now 12yrs. She has had some big ops, but she battles on strongly.

This is such sad news. Our hearts go out to Pam and David. Losing dogs so young is always shocking and very upsetting. Let’s hope all Cassie’s now grown up babies, who are her legacy, are doing well.

We at IRR thank Pam and David for all that they did for Cassie and can take some comfort knowing that, after an unbearable start to her life, Cassie had 4 very happy years with them, with her sister Lucy and with her very good friend Jilly.

In 2015 Tina (now Cassie) was a 1 year old female Golden Retriever who had not been neutered as she was unlucky enough to be one of a large group of dogs In Romania who had heartworm and were treated for it. Her sister was more fortunate and was able to undertake her journey to the UK sometime before her.

IT WAS AN UNEXPECTED BONUS (JULY 2015)  

Finally, Cassie arrived in the UK as planned and was just settling down to a very happy life in Worcestershire with her sister Lucy and old friend Jilly. It suddenly became clear, just as everyone was going off for a lovely family caravan holiday, that Cassie had smuggled a few stowaways in her tummy. Two other compatriots from Romania were also expectant Mums.

Fortunately, a wonderful lady (Pat) offered her services as midwife extraordinaire so Cassie was able to stay with her in East Sussex in preparation for the big day (1st May) when 6 wonderful babies arrived. Due, no doubt, to the wonderful TLC they received from Pat, all were very healthy and every one of them has a brilliant forever home.

To everyone’s amazement, after such a bad start to her pregnancy, due, no doubt, to the wonderful TLC they received from Pat, all were very healthy and every one of them had a brilliant forever home.

From the dates, the culprit was clearly Bruce, the Labrador, so the pups were all Retriever x Labradors. Because such crosses generally have wonderful temperaments, this is a very popular cross with GDBA.

Bruce must have been a very busy boy as, on further investigation, it was found two other older ladies also arrived in the same condition as Cassie, Heidi and Rosie and, altogether, IRR ended up with 13 babies who we called BRUCIE’S LITTLE BONUSES.

Sadly, both Heidi and Bruce have already crossed Rainbow Bridge far too soon.

AFTER MATERNAL DUTIES

Pam and David told us that Cassie soon settled back really well at home again. She played a lot with her sister Lucy and seemed to have, already, forgotten all about the pups. She also played well with their other older “failed foster” dog, Jilly. They say that it is great to see them all living and being happy together again.

Apparently, they had a great day out at Baggeridge Country Park on a “Paws” walk where the girls got on really well with all the other dogs.

EARLY HISTORY

A large group of dogs including Cassie was rescued from a high kill Pound in Romania.

Despite the horrible conditions she had come from, this little lady was young and crazy and loved to run and play.

She was supposed to be very good with all kinds of people but we would know more about her suitability for children once she was in foster. 

She was also supposed to be very good with new dogs which we planned to, again, confirm once she went to her foster home.  She had been untested with cats

TO NOBODY’S SURPRISE (March 2015)

Cassie’s fosterers “failed” and Cassie continued living with Lucy and Jilly in her Forever Home.