Paddy Richmond
THE NEWS WAS ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING (24th JULY 2020)
A very upset Phil told us the really bad news about Paddy who had been their special needs foster dog in 2015 until he was adopted by Anne and family in January 2016.
He said Paddy had suffered with peritonitis and, sadly, passed away that morning, Friday 24th July.
He told us, understandably, Anne is devastated as she was absolutely devoted to him.
We are all deeply saddened by the news and can imagine how distraught his family must be.
Paddy was a wonderful boy. He held a very special place in Jackie’s heart and, of course, in Phil and Julie’s but everyone who met him totally fell in love with him.
We at IRR could do no more than thank Anne for the wonderful life she and her family gave him and send them huge cyber hugs of comfort as we all know, only too well, the pain and heartache of loss.
Anne thanked us for the lovely messages and said “Paddy was very special. He was loved by everyone in the family and all of our friends. Although Paddy has gone to Rainbow Bridge, he will always, be with us as are Copper, Bryn and Triston. They may all be gone but they will never be forgotten. We like to think they are all happy and united together”.
Fly high with all the other very special dog angels, Paddy.
Paddy’s mum’s daughter, Victoria, writes:
“Our first memory of Paddy was seeing him at the front door of his foster family’s house. He stood there with what looked like a big smile on his face, he had a unique look, a cute small head and a wonderful curly body.
Paddy loved food, although he was blind he knew where the biscuit cupboard was, where delightful smells of Bonios, Harringtons and the odd jam tart would eminate… Paddy knew the time, like clockwork he would hover around when it was almost breakfast and dinner time. He also knew when it was time for walks, we would drop the lead next to him and he knew to get up and walk to the car. His loss of sight seemed no barrier for Paddy and once he had mapped out the house and the park he lived a happy, safe and lovely life. Whenever there was a step or a curb, mum and dad would say “up Paddy” or “down Paddy”. We would all find ourselves mentally saying this to ourselves when climbing the staircase or ascending a pavement.
We think Paddy was at his happiest when he was with family on a camping trip. He knew when the motor home was being packed for a trip and would take up position on the comfy seats to make sure he wasn’t left behind.
When the other family dogs joined him on the trips he would bark and open his mouth wide so he could play fight, especially with Hector, his best friend, a fellow retriever. The boys and Clara, the labrador became the three amigos or the three stooges, as we affectionately referred to them.
In more recent times the doggy gang/pack expanded and Paddy became chums with Lexi, Lucy, and most recently Billy. We have a lovely memory of all of them running together on the beach in Whitby.
We knew Paddy had found his paws and was happy when he began to bark again after a number of years of being silent. Although his bark made our heads hurt sometimes, it was lovely and heartwarming to hear his ‘dulcet’ tones whenever he’d had his dinner or was playing with his wolf pack.
We believe Paddy is still with us. Every time we take our other family dogs in the park Paddy is there, every time there is a camping trip or a picnic he is there.
Paddy is our Paddy Pudding, our Paddy Paws, our lad and we will always love him.”
History
AN UPDATE FROM PADDY’S FOSTER HOME (December 2015)
Paddy can climb up and down steps and go upstairs. He loves getting out and going down to the park for a walk. We have let him off his lead & he’s been brilliant. Lead walking is very good, so no worries on that. The only thing that we need to do is guide him if any obstacles are in his path. He’s mastered a turnstile gate when out. On firm ground he walks well, but on grass he’s a tad slower. This could be as it’s uneven ground.
Paddy is happy meeting other dogs even if one of them is barky. If you give him a treat he’s very gentle taking it from your hands. He loves his food & we haven’t had any issues on that front. You can smooth him, move his bowl with no problems. In the garden we just show him out now and watch him so he’s getting a bit more independent.
Around the house Paddy likes to get involved when Maisie & Somer (the fosterer’s dogs) are playing and they have been playing nicely together.
Paddy loves to play with a big ragger type toy. The only trouble is he likes to chuck it about!! If Paddy needs to go out he does let us know by doing a snore/growl type noise. Out walking nothing seems to phase him, he just gets on with the job.
JACKIE AND RON HELP PADDY
Recently IRR lost a very good friend and supporter, older members will remember Jackie Adams, the original foster coordinator, and her husband Ron.
Sadly, a few weeks ago, Ron passed away suddenly. At his funeral, Jackie asked that people not send flowers that will die, but instead, give a gift of life by donating to IRR and ensuring that a dog was given a second chance of having a brilliant life.
We were overwhelmed by the support of their family and friends and in Ron’s memory IRR received £494. As Ron had lived with disabilities all his life, it was Jackie’s wish that this money be spent on a special needs dog.
So, meet Paddy! It is no coincidence that Kathryn received the call about Paddy on what would have been Ron’s birthday!
Paddy is 4 years old and has gone blind. He has been loved but his sudden blindness disorientated Paddy and he became depressed and lost his spark. His loving owners were at loss as to how to help him and made the selfless decision to let him go and start a new life with people that could help him re-adjust.
So Paddy went to Kathryn and was going to make his journey to the UK where we will use the money given in Ron’s memory to get him assessed by an eye specialist to see if there is anything we can do medically. He will also be placed in foster with other dogs for comfort and guidance and we will make sure his future is bright.
So thank you Jackie for thinking of IRR during the most difficult time of your life, and thank you to Ron, who we know had a hand in bringing Paddy to us.
HISTORY
Paddy is a 4 year old male Golden Retriever who is, unfortunately, blind. He has been neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.
He came to IRR due to a change in family circumstances. Paddy has been thoroughly assessed by a Vet specialising in Ophthalmics and unfortunately his blindness is permanent.
Despite his lack of sight, Paddy is a happy chap who copes extremely well with changes in his daily life.
SOCIAL LEARNING
Paddy is house trained and very obedient. He can walk up and down stairs and walks well on the lead, just needing gentle steering away from obstacles. He responds well to calling and whistling, appreciating where the person is and can gently frolic off the lead. He likes to play, especially with people, and he gets on well with other dogs. He travels well in the car and enjoys meeting people and dogs.
DREAM HOME
Paddy’s dream home is one where he can be guided through the obstacles of life with love, kindness and understanding. He is a calm, charming lad who will make the right person a delightful companion.
GREAT NEWS FOR PADDY (January 2016)
Paddy has gone to live in his Forever Home.