This page is dedicated to our Seniors who were rescued and loved by the Senior Staffy Club, but sadly passed away in our care before they made it to a forever home.
Here we honour their lives by keeping them always on our minds, and forever in our hearts.
Diesel
Many of you followed the journey of our beautiful boy Diesel on our social media. This is not the update we'd imagined giving but, sadly, Diesel gained his wings on 6th December 2024 ๐.
Recently, we noticed Diesel was unwell - he had blood in his urine and was urinating frequently. Despite treatment with antibiotics, there was no improvement, so we scheduled a scan to investigate further.
The results were heartbreaking: a large, inoperable tumour occupied most of his bladder, leaving him in significant discomfort.
Knowing the discomfort he was in, we made the kindest decision to let him go, sparing him from further suffering.
A much-loved (by Diesel) volunteer was by his side, giving him love and cuddles, thanking him for being the bestest boy as he passed peacefully in her lap ๐.
We'll remember Diesel as the most affectionate boy with a loving nature, always putting smiles on our faces with his sweet personality and impressive toy-destroying skills!
Run free at the Rainbow Bridge Diesel. You will forever hold a special place in all of our hearts ๐.
Thank you to everyone who loved and supported Diesel throughout his time with us โค๏ธ, he really was the most speacial and sweetest boy.
Honi
Rescue work often involves making heart-wrenching decisions, and unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending. We're sorry that we never had the chance to introduce you to Honi before we had to make such a difficult choice on his behalf.
Honi, a sweet-natured 15-year-old, came into our care after his dad passed away earlier this year, leaving his family unable to continue looking after him.
Upon his arrival, it became evident that Honi was unwell, suffering from cognitive issues that caused him significant distress, along with being in physical pain.
After a long and thorough discussion with our vet, we realised that there were no viable options to alleviate Honi's suffering. So to be as kind as possible, we made the heart-breaking decision to help him pass peacefully. Honi was sedated, and we stayed by his side, holding his paw and stroking his head as he gained his wings.
We like to think that Honi has been reunited with his beloved dad, and is now free from pain and distress.
Though our time with Honi was brief, his loving nature left his pawprints on our hearts.
Run free at the bridge, beautiful Honi. We are deeply sorry we couldn't do more for you, but we will never forget you ๐.
Honi went to Rainbow Bridge on 21st December 2024 ๐.
Vera
Vera came to SSC from the pound. She had some very noticeable health issues, so we arranged for her to see our vet as soon as possible.
It was very apparent that poor Vera had come to us in quite a state ๐.
She had two large mammary tumours, one of which burst as soon as she came to us and then burst again at the vets, meaning she had an open wound.
She also had a cough and her breathing was very laboured. She became very out of breath just walking. Kennels really were not the place for her to be.
Whilst we were searching for a foster home, Vera had another trip to the vets as her breathing was getting worse and the vets could see the difference even from the previous visit the day before.
She went into emergency foster with a lovely couple who kept her comfortable and gave her lots of love.
However, she sadly continued to deteriorate that night and, in the end, the kindest thing we could do was to end her suffering ๐.
Her foster mum and our Stoke SSC kennel manager gave her plenty of love and cuddles as she left and we all pray she knew how loved she was now that she was finally a part of the SSC family.
We didn't know Vera for long, but sheโll forever be remembered as a cheeky little monkey who always had a waggy tail, even at the end.
Vera gained her wings 8th June 2024.
Weโre all just so sorry that you didn't come to us before it was too late Vera ๐.
Run free at the bridge gorgeous girly ๐.
Megan
Megan (right) and Bandit (left), her son, came into SSC at the start of July 2024 when their owner sadly had to go into end-of-life care.
It was apparent quite quickly that Megan was not in the best of health after she had arrived to us in kennels. She sadly collapsed on her assessment and our kennel manager noticed that she had pale gums, was coughing a little and had a slightly misshapen stomach.
We arranged an appointment with the vets for as soon as possible but, whilst waiting for the vets, she collapsed once more. The vets performed a thorough examination and extensive tests on Megan.
It was discovered that she had a tumour on her liver, and this was causing her to be anaemic. It was also affecting her heart. We tried medication for her heart, but she didnโt show any response to this. She was now very clearly exhausted after battling with these health issues, and so the kindest thing we could do for her was to let her go over Rainbow Bridge.
๐ ๐ ๐
On 19th July, Bandit, along with our kennel manager and two caring volunteers, were there with Megan to make sure she knew how wonderful and loved she was as she made her final journey to Rainbow Bridge.
Megan, you were only a member of the SSC family for a short time, but you certainly made an impact on many and you will forever be remembered by all who knew you as such a confident, fun-loving, super friendly, happy-go-lucky, adorable and special lady. You deserved your loving, forever retirement home, but sadly, it just wasnโt meant to be ๐.
You can rest peacefully and pain-free at Rainbow Bridge beautiful Megan in the certainty that we will find your son Bandit the most wonderfully loving happy ever after home๐
Forever in our hearts beautiful lady ๐ ๐ ๐.
Charlie
This beautiful 14 year old boy was abandoned outside a vet before spending time in the pound and then found his way to SSC on 8th October 2024.
We knew he had a large tumour on his face, but we felt it was important to give him a chance.
From the moment we met him, we fell in love with his sweet, affectionate and gentle nature. He was the sweetest boy who just wanted to be loved ๐.
We had a day of love and snuggles on our sofa before we took him to our vets.
After discussing his options and discovering that the tumour was inoperable, we made the difficult decision to let him go with dignity and surrounded by love before he began to suffer even more.
It's a testament to his beautiful nature that he remained a happy boy despite his huge discomfort.
On 9th October 2024, Charlie passed peacefully surrounded by our SSC family love.
Run free at the bridge gorgeous boy ๐. Your time with us was short but so very very sweet and we'll never forget what a gorgeous little boy you were ๐.
Sky
Sky came into SSC at the start of July 2023.
When she first arrived, it was evident that she had a few health issues. So she saw our vets straight away and was due to have further tests.
Unfortunately, Sky took a turn for the worse and we had to rush her to our vets where it was found that she was in heart failure with fluid in her lungs. She wasnโt responding to treatment, so the kindest thing we could do for Sky was to end her suffering ๐.
One of our volunteers was with Sky, giving her plenty of cuddles and ensuring she knew how loved before and whilst she passed.
Sky was only with us for a week, but she touched the hearts of everyone that met her. She had the most beautiful soul, with the sweetest gentle nature and we were honoured to get to know her.
Sky gained her wings on 14th July 2023.
Run free at the bridge Sky ๐
Billy
Billy came to us at SSC in May 2023 as a stray in a severely abused and emaciated state. He was a very friendly boy who loved attention and affection.
Billy was improving well for the few months he was with his SSC foster mum where he was shown, probably, the most love and kindness he had seen in his entire life.
However, he started to slow down at the start of August 2023, he became weaker and less enthusiastic about life. He was tired.
We let him go peacefully at home on the morning of Tuesday 8th August, his foster mum was by his side and our biggest thanks go to her. We are also so grateful to the team of people who doggy-sat for him when it was needed and, of course, to all of the support he received in so many ways from the SSC community.
Rest easy now Billy. We wish we had come across you sooner and been able to do more for you so you could have stayed with us longer, but it was not to be.
You showed us you were full of love, despite the treatment you had suffered before we knew you. You leave many of us with very empty hearts and red eyes today.
Fly high Billy Boy and know you were so loved.
William
After the sad passing of our boy Billy earlier this week, we werenโt expecting more sad news this soon, but unfortunately dog rescue isnโt always the happy endings we all love to see ๐.
This is William ๐. Williamโs elderly Mum loved him very much, but unfortunately could no longer care for herself and had to go into a residential care home.
William was placed in a private boarding kennels for many months until eventually it was decided he needed a rescue space.
Unfortunately, when William arrived with us at SSC in July 2023, it was evident that he was a very ill boy.
We got him seen by the vet as soon as we could, but sadly we had to let him go over Rainbow Bridge on 8th August 2023 ๐๐.
He was such a sweet, gentle old man who made friends with everyone he met and stole the hearts of all at SSC in the short time he was with us.
RIP William, weโre sorry we didnโt have longer to get to know you, run free with Billy ๐.
Charlie
Charlie came to SSC in July 2022. He was a beautiful boy who had sadly been very badly let down by his original owner. His last owner and then foster mum took such great care of him and showed him an abundance of kindness, gave him a safe home and showed him so much love in his last few months.
We are all absolutely heartbroken that we could not have helped him more.
Charlie gained his wings and went over rainbow bridge on 5th September 2022.
Rest In Peace Charlie Boy, you certainly were one special chap.
Roxy
Roxy came into SSC with Kyza in February 2023 due to their family struggling to provide care. Soon after, the staff at the kennels we use in Worcester rang to say Roxy was poorly. We quickly got her to the vets and she was diagnosed with Pyometra. Roxy was kept in overnight and operated on the following morning.
The operation was a success & post surgery Roxy went to a lovely foster placement where she was recovering well. However, on Thursday evening Roxy took a turn for the worse and was rushed to the emergency vets. Following a scan and X-rays, Roxy was given pain relief & antibiotics by injection and returned home with her foster carers.
Sadly, during the night Roxy deteriorated further and returned to the vets where she was rescanned. It was discovered she was bleeding internally and had lost a lot of blood. It is likely that the Pyometra was masking something else possibly a tumour and once her infected womb was removed this started the bleeding.
The kindest decision was to send her over Rainbow Bridge as she was in so much pain & it was felt she was not strong enough to undergo more surgery.
Roxy was a gorgeous girl who really did not deserve this.
We are extremely thankful to the Kennel Staff and to the amazing foster carers who did everything they possibly could to help Roxy.
Sadly although our mission is always to find a loving forever home for our seniors this does not always happen. Whilst the seniors are in our care we do everything to provide holistic care for them including sadly making difficult decisions.
Roxy gained her wings on 16th February 2023.
Run free Roxy, forever in our hearts.
Kyza
Kyza came into SSC with Roxy in February 2023. When he arrived he had a very nasty cough, which he had been suffering with for quite some time. Kyza has been given several courses of antibiotics and steriods prior to to his arrival, which unfortunately he hadn't responded to.
We booked him in for x-rays with our vets, it was discovered his chest and lungs were full of fluid. The vets drained his chest area and sent the fluid off for testing and he was sent home with diuretic medication.
Heartbreakingly, the results come back inconclusive, but the results suggested he had cancer. In the last 5 days his health deteriorated rapidly and he was finding it difficult to breath.
He was given another course of steriods and anitbiotics, but he stopped eating. We took him back to the vets to see if there was anything else we could do to make him more comfortable, but the vets advised that the kindest thing we could do was let him cross the ๐ Rainbow Bridge.
So our final act of kindness for our gorgeous, gentle boy was to let him join his beloved Roxy. Kyza joined his beauty Roxy on 21st February 2023.
We are all devastated to lose both of these beautiful dogs, but they are reunited and no longer in pain ๐.
Boss
Boss came to us a very frightened boy in poor health in November 2020. He spent some time with our behaviourist and he gradually started to relax and enjoy life.
He went into a wonderful foster home and was loved so very much. He was a cuddle monster who loved to play. In his time with SSC, he developed a wonderful following of suppawters, but a few months down the road we sadly discovered that our lovely Boss Man had an inoperable tumour.
Bossโ lovely foster parents said he was not going anywhere for however long he had left. Boss was pain-free and surrounded with love and comfort for the remainder of his lifeโฆas far as Boss was concerned, he was finally home.
Boss Man passed on 17th March 2021.
Jack
Jack came into our care in October 2021 when his owner sadly passed away. Whilst in our care, we discovered that Jack was suffering from lung cancer and that his time would be limited.
He was looked after in a fabulous foster home where he was adored and utterly spoilt. Jack really was a gentleman, and he was a truly gentle soul who was loved by everyone that met him.
Gentleman Jack let us know that he was ready to go over Rainbow Bridge to be reunited with his dad, and he left surrounded by love in the arms of his foster carer on 4th December 2021.
Sam
Sam came to SSC a very thin yet lovely and friendly boy. He had sadly lived in a back yard all of his life. He had a very large mass on his rear end which the vet assessed and it had, over time, unfortunately spread throughout his body.
Sam received more tests from the vets and it was discovered he was in the final stages of cancer.
It was decided that the kindest thing to do was to let him go. He had only been a part of the SSC family for a very short period, but he was lavished in love and affection for this time. He passed in the loving arms of a devoted SSC volunteer on 7th January 2022.
Jack
Jack came to us via the police as an abandoned dog in December 2018. He was about 8 years old and a loving, attentive, wiggly and eager-to-please boy.
He loved cuddles and wanted to be next to you as much as possible. He loved to play with his toys and was very gentle when taking treats.
In February, however, all of a sudden he was not able to pass urine. He was rushed to the vets where an immediate Xray was had and, sadly, and inoperable tumour was discovered.
Jack passed on 21st February 2019.
Sid
Sid came into SSC with Jackie after their owner had to surrender them under tragic circumstances. Sid, 12, and Jackie, 11, were a bonded pair. Sid was a dear little man. He had some breathing difficulties and the vet did many tests, but nothing flagged up.
Sid and Jackie quickly went into foster care, but within a short period of time, Sid became very poorly. After many more tests, it was discovered that he most likely had an advanced tumour, but due to his huge heart also being too weak, he very sadly did not survive.
His new foster parents, were devastated that this sweet-natured little boy had passed away so soon without the chance to have his happily ever after. However, Jackie stole her foster parentsโ hearts and after her traumatic time of losing her home and then her furbrother, she was officially adopted by them to heal in their loving care. Sheโs so happy and content with this amazing family and we wish them many more happy years together.
Fly high with the angels Sid - we only knew you for a short while, but we loved you with all our hearts.
Sid passed on 13th August 2019.
Taz
Taz was only a part of the SSC family for a few days sadly, but this was long enough for him to finally be surrounded by the love and affection he so rightly deserved. He was 16 years old and he was suffering from so many health problems, both physically and mentally.
He went into emergency foster where he was supported with company, pain relief, love and kindness 24/7. We and the vets hoped that he would pick up in a few days. However, he continued panting and pacing in distress, it was not meant to be. So we took the heart-breaking decision to let him go to Rainbow Bridge.
Precious Taz, you deserved so much more and we are sorry we couldnโt provide it for you as sadly, it was already too late.
Sleep tight Taz, knowing you were surrounded by love and devotion at the end and you will stay in our hearts as one of the SSC family forever.
Taz passed on 24th February 2021.
If you have any questions about the Senior Staffy Club, please get in touch.