After a lifetime of supporting Woodgreen, Daphne is leaving us a gift in her Will – giving a second chance to more homeless pets for years to come. This is her story in her own words.
“In 1967, my little Yorkshire Terrier sadly died. I and my friend, Win, with whom I lived, decided to go to Woodgreen (then based in London), and find another dog needing a home.
A lovely lady, the only member of staff, and a cacophony of barking, welcomed us. There was just one large pen full of a variety of dogs. A small Cross Collie came up to me and I held him in my arms. He was quiet and gentle, and he was mine.”
“Win discovered a tiny, shivering black puppy hiding in a shed. “Daphne, we can’t leave this little one”, she said, and so we had both dogs for many years. I called mine Chef because of his white apron front, and Win called hers Topsy.”
On one fateful holiday Topsy tragically swallowed some seaweed. A vet removed it from her throat, but she died under the anaesthetic. We were heartbroken, and Chef cried for his partner, so back we went to Woodgreen.”
“In the same pen as before, we watched the dogs racing back and forth. Win wanted a black one similar to Topsy. A very plain, brown little dog quietly stood beside us. She had been in the home for a long time and was called Sally; thoughtfully we decided to take her. Sally seemed to sense that Win would have preferred a black dog. The following day she found one of Win’s slippers and hid it in her basket. After that, Win just loved her.”
Chef was finally put to sleep at a good age, and shortly afterwards Win died. I was so grateful to have little Sally, my dearest, constant companion”
“One day, I was in bed recovering from cancer surgery, and Sally was in her basket beside me. She had not been well and suddenly deteriorated. The vet came prepared to put her to sleep. Holding the syringe she said, “I don’t like doing this when your mum is so ill” at which Sally got up, walked into the garden and lived for another three years!”
"Thank you so much Woodgreen. I have supported you ever since then, and now at 91, will certainly remember you in my Will.”
Leaving a gift in your Will to Woodgreen means your love of pets can live on – helping us be there for future generations of pets like Chef, Topsy and Sally. Could you make a difference today?
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