When Sarah Keith met Ella, a sweet one-year-old Border Collie, she never imagined they would share 11 beautiful years together.
Ella’s first owner, a farmer, had reared her to be a sheepdog but soon realized she wasn’t suited for the task.
He decided to get another puppy, and that’s when Ella went to live with Sarah, a seasoned dog parent and veterinary physiotherapist, who knew that Ella would make a wonderful house pet.
Eleven long years later, Sarah’s best friend Ella was diagnosed with oral cancer, which greatly impacted the dynamics of their relationship.
When Sarah found out Ella, who also suffered from arthritis, was diagnosed with oral cancer, she knew she couldn’t let her sweet girl suffer any longer.
Believing that cancer treatment would only prolong Ella’s pain, Sarah felt in her heart that it was time to say goodbye to her sweet girl, who had enjoyed 12 long and happy years.
Wanting to make Ella’s final days special, Sarah planned one last gift: A final walk on her favorite beach. However, it wasn’t going to be just any walk…
Sarah shared Ella’s condition on the official Facebook page of her veterinary physiotherapy service, White Rose Vet Physio, inviting friends to join their Monday walk.
She expected only a few close friends to come, but the response was overwhelming. Speaking to The Mirror, she said:
“Obviously, a lot of people are working on Monday, but I didn’t want to mess anyone around over the weekend. The post just got shared and shared. And I had people from all parts of the country who never were going to be able to make the walk sending me messages.”
When Sarah and Ella arrived at the beach, Sarah was amazed to find over 30 dogs and around 25 owners waiting for them. She noted:
“When I arrived, there was probably more than 30 dogs and in the region of 25 owners. There was even a group with leads on, with not particularly social dogs, but they had wanted to support in their own way.”
Sarah was deeply moved by the turnout, touched by the kindness of strangers united by their compassion and love for dogs. It was heartening for her to see such support during one of the toughest periods of her life.
She was grateful that so many people came to witness her beloved girl’s last run on the beach.
Seeing Ella joyfully running with other dogs, especially the border collies, was bittersweet. Sarah recalled:
“There was a group of people with border collies and Ella loved running with them. At one point there were six or seven going after the same ball. She was the best dog I have ever had, and I have had lots of dogs.”
Giving Ella a chance to enjoy her final hours doing what she loved was Sarah’s way of ensuring her beloved companion lived a life filled with joy, and not suffering.
It also gave Ella a beautiful final memory to take over the Rainbow Bridge.