Huxley was a non-dog-person’s dog; we called him a “gateway dog” because he helped so many of our family and friends overcome their fear of dogs or realise that they could love dogs. He came into our lives from a dog shelter in Idaho, USA in 2011 when he was about 1 year old, then moved to New Jersey, and finally to Bristol in January 2014. Over the course of 10 years in Bristol he took part in our wedding, welcomed two children to the family, and went through two house moves.

Huxley was one of a kind, with a DNA test revealing he was 25% shih tzu, 25% Pomeranian, 25% Australian cattle dog, and the remainder a dramatic mixture including French Mastiff… We don’t know his history before he was found as a stray, but being quite small, short legged and engulfed in thick beautiful fur, he never was particularly athletic so we would often muse that in his past life he made a living herding the wild potatoes of Idaho. However, Huxley was an ambitious dog, and he set himself the so-called ‘Noah’s Ark Challenge’, in which he aimed to chase two of every type of animal, with his most daring effort a huge wild boar in the Forest of Dean. His two trademark moves were sitting up and begging on his back legs waiting very patiently for you to give in and share your food; and lying down and refusing to walk because it was too hot, he thought there might be something interesting to eat in the other direction, or some of the group had been left behind.

When the children were babies, Huxley would make sure to position himself between them and any visitors who came to the house. Where we lived for the past few years we have had easy access to a park, and as his arthritis set in, and then heart disease, he still loved escaping out the front door to take himself for a little meander to the stream. During the kids’ bedtime he always walked up the two flights of stairs to lie down on our son’s pillow and had to be evicted. Huxley was loved by so many people; he was the best dog and we were very lucky to have had more than 13 years with him.

Misty was, and still is, a very much loved family dog. Not only was she kind and gentle with a young and growing family, she was also very determined and had to overcome a number of medical issues in her life. Given her medical journey that she took us (and the vets) on; it was an easy decision for us donate her and so that she could continue to provide lessons and veterinary data for the benefit of others. Although she had a stoic and tough side to her, she also had a cheeky, remarkably patient and loving personality. In her early [military] years, we moved house every few years as her Mum and Dad completed various jobs in the Royal Air Force. Every change she took in her stride, and we have extremely fond memories with her in all our homes; she was our constant and made our homes feel like home. For our children (her siblings), Misty is all they knew as she was always there and will forever be missed. We loved every second of our time with her; long walks in all weather; our pigeon and squirrel free garden; her attempting to swim in the sea; muddy showers; the time she fell into the canal; boat trips; camping trips and everything in between. Misty will never be far from our thoughts and forever in our hearts. 

Thank you,

James and Naomi