Woody 08/07/2011 – 01/03/2026
This is the saddest blog post I’ve ever shared but unfortunately our beautiful Working Cocker Spaniel Woody has passed away.
Woody died exactly 14 & 1/2 years to the day since we brought him home as an 8 week old puppy. He had the most amazing life and we are so lucky to have shared so many years with him in our lives.
Wilma and Wyn are coping surprisingly well, even though they’ve never lived life without him. I strongly believe that them being in the room with him when he died helps their grieving process, they understand what’s going on way more than we think. Fortunately we were able to be in a situation where he could die at home, surrounded by his favourite people, how lucky is he to have a calm and peaceful end to his life. My dogs have also always had 1-1 time outside of the house, going to agility, gundog training or I’ll choose one to go out for lunch with so they’re used to not always being together which definitely helps.
Our vets recommended the company Paws to Sleep, Vet Sarah covers Gloucestershire and surrounding counties. I’d thoroughly recommend her services if you have to have to make this heartbreaking decision one day.
Up until the week before he died, Woody came on every single dog walk with us. Despite slowing down, being completely deaf and losing the plot he was still so fit and active for his age. Without knowing it would be my final walk with all three dogs, we went for a walk on the monday and he was full of mischief – running around one of our favourite fields and zooming through muddy puddles. It was as if he knew it would be our final adventure and he became a puppy again.
His favourite activity was hydrotherapy at Five Valleys Canine Hydrotherapy in Miserden every couple of weeks which was the perfect anti-aging activity, making him feel pain free and invincible. He would sing in the car as we drove down their driveway, then screech with excitement the whole time he was swimming.
Whilst our vets helped me explore a few different options to help treat his different issues it looks like unfortunately in the end he had tumours which had spread to his brain. This made the heartbreaking decision for me and we didn’t want him to suffer a moment longer as he wasn’t our Woody anymore.
Woody was my first ever dog, the dog I dreamed of and wished for my entire life. He is the reason I first started taking photos, I turned it into my career and built my own business all because of him.
Life feels so strange without him, his lead is still hanging up and his bed waiting for him to walk back in for a nap. Everywhere we go I have memories of him there and it is the saddest feeling in the world to know we won’t see him again.
Give your dogs an extra hug from us and treasure every moment.
Megan, Wilma and Wyn x
The Cotswold Spaniels 
So sorry to read this. It’s such a painful time. We learnt a lot from Woody and the blog, particularly about grooming, so his influence was widespread. Thank you. Totally agree about having your other dogs there so they know what’s happened. Our boy was able to see and sniff and check out our beautiful, gentle, fabulous, sweet girl when she died last May and although he was sad for weeks we are sure it helped him. I think we miss them forever. They give so much to us, and we lose so much when they leave us.
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Thank you for sharing such a difficult time for you all, but it helps raise awareness for others. The end on earth is never easy, but allowing your other fur babies to be present certainly helps those left to morn on earth.
Most recently I took Olive, who is currently one of three to see her vet, but at short notice we saw a locum vet from New Zealand. Shortly into the appointment the asked if I had someone close who is ill. Yes, my wife had recently gone through throat cancer treatment. She told me Olive was worried and needs my wife to talk to her about it. We have both talked to her and Bertie and Erik have been included in our group sessions. I’ve noted you take one of your furies separately and I do the same. Call it my bonding day and talk about all sorts to them.
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