£5k lifeline for dog facing bankruptcy
BLACK labrador Bob meant everything to his owner, war veteran Harold Pursey.
So when Harold died at 94 he left his last £660 to set up a trust fund so Bob could stay on at the care home where they both lived.
But the money began to run out and Bob faced a bleak future. Until staff and locals rallied round.
Now 13-year-old Bob will end his days in doggy luxury...after they raised £5,000.
Harold died of heart failure in 2010, believing Bob’s future care at Burnham Lodge in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, was ensured by his bequest.
But the elderly pet has recently required treatment for stiff joints, racking up mounting medical bills.
The home – which had agreed to pay only for his dog food – realised they needed to find a way to pay for his vet charges.
So staff began organising challenges, which included raising £1,500 from a sponsored walk and making £2,000, last weekend, from a fishing competition.
Judith Alder, who now looks after Bob at the home, said: “We are chuffed to bits. It was absolutely fantastic, we had no idea we would raise that much.
“There was such a huge response to Bob. Everybody adores him.
“We are almost speechless at how much we managed to raise.”
Retired butcher Mr Pursey, from Burnham-on-Sea, was a lifelong bachelor.
When he needed to go into residential care in June 2009 he insisted on taking Bob, who had been his only companion since he took him on as a puppy ten years earlier.
Staff agreed to sign a contract saying they would adopt Bob when Mr Pursey died.
Judith added: “The thing is Bob is getting a bit old and he needs a lot of different things to help him.
“The treatment is well worth it though.
“He puts a smile on everybody’s faces, so he is very therapeutic.
“He is such a lovely dog – and he knows it.”