Laurel Crofton

10.07.2007 – 19.11.2020

Laurel’s mum, Kathryn said:

“The day Laurel bounced into my life was a day just like any other. I had been looking online for my boss who wanted a Golden Retriever. We checked it out and went to see the Breeder, who, was like most other Breeders. The Bitch, Lady, had had a large litter and a few had gone except five or six, one bitch and five boys.  The Bitch was fabulous and I would have paid double if I could have taken her home that day. She was living outside and although she had had multiple litters, one particular litter, many of whom perished due to the freezing cold. They then took the remainder of the litter inside and told me of how difficult it had been for the family having the pups inside.

I spoke to the little boy of about 12, and said that I wanted two dogs, the dogs that got on the best, the ones that were best friends. So, for a full week or two he looked at who got on the best and so, Laurel and Hardy came into my life. Two bundles of total trouble. Hardy was always the instigator and Laurel, the follower. 

Laurel never minded not being in the spotlight, he prefered it that way, so Hardy could shine. When on the beach, Hardy would head for the water splashing and enjoying himself and Laurel would trot along beside me, not wanting to leave me, to make sure all was ok. I would shout at him, telling him to play, but, Laurel knew.. he just knew. He would be happiest lying at my feet while Hardy would try to give me the paw and try to show me all the tricks he had learnt, Laurel would just look at him as if to say ‘What a plonker!’ He knew. It wasn’t tricks, it was cuddles on his terms. He loved the top of his tail being scratched and would come back for more. He would happily let all the new fosters get as much attention as they needed. He was confident in his own skin. He knew he was loved, he didn’t need fanfare, he needed a cuddle and when everyone else had got their cuddles and pats and praise, he would sneek up, lift his head, weary from sleep and ask ‘me?’ that was his cuddle time, his love time, his time and only his time that noone would or could take away from him.

I knew long before I got involved in Irish Retriever Rescue, how lucky I was to have Laurel and Hardy, but, Laurel was always a favourite, perhaps because, he asked for nothing, because he didn’t mind anyone else, even ‘a blow-in’ getting cuddles and praise. He was a selfless soul, who was confident in his own skin, in the love that was given and how important he was. He knew.. He always knew..

Laurel will never come again, but his presence is everywhere, in the fluff on the blankets that I can’t bear to wash, in the stains on his bed or on his worn collar that no amount of soap will wash out because I haven’t got the energy to scrub out the stains without tears overflowing and washing out his memory and I cannot bear to wash out any part of his existence in case it will erase the magic he so selflessly left behind.

I know that even though he is gone, he is here with Hardy, Gromit, Cooper, Charley, Ragsy, Shiela, Poochie, Gabriel, Anthony and the menagerie of stray cats and animals that managed to make their home with us. So many have gone to God, but, a few still remain. Never again will I have my Laurel who was big, cuddly, sweet and gentle, who loved sniffing flowers, who watched as honey bees danced on the petals but wouldn’t touch them, rolling in the grass and a big cheeky grin as if he had done something bold, but he never had. He knew we are all part of the great plan and I cannot wait until I see him again, but more than that, I am so proud that he was my boy, and he chose me to be his mom.”