Freddie was a beautiful pedigree Sandringham black labrador retriever. His pedigree name was Sir Percy and his mother was Sophie aka Princess Oberon and his father was Black Buckaneer. I got Freddie when I was married to Sharon. He was about 6 weeks old and the cutest puppy you can ever imagine. I remember us thinking that we weren't worthy of having this regal looking puppy! We bought him from a local farming family. He was blessed all his life with a fabulous glossy black coat. Freddie had the most perfect temperament and loved children! This lovely friendly disposition made him an extremely popular dog and he had many friends and admirers. Freddie loved water and also playing fetch with a ball, or anything for that matter! I used to own a country pub and Freddie was loved by everyone and gained a huge number of friends. He had a Scottish terrier as a companion when he was about 3 years old. Jack the Scottie and Freddie were the best of friends and both lived in the pub together. One christmas when Jack was staying with some friends he got killed by a car. He was 4 yrs old. Freddie will have missed his Friend but they can be reunited now. Freddie has had a life full of living in the most beautiful countryside and going for fabulous walks daily.  During his last 3 years I would drop him off at some good friends house every day while I went out to work. This was a fabulous environment full of kids, dogs, cats and chickens.  During his last 5 months I had to leave him with these friends when I went to work in Spain. I would see him about once a month for the weekend which would break my heart. I was lucky enough to be able to spend all of this last August with him. I loved my dog so much and he was always loved by many and treated like the lovely dog he was. I think this is why he almost reached the age of 14, good age for a lab. My good friends who looked after him kept a very close eye on his quality of life in his final months. Freddie had been suffering from gradual disintegration of his spine which led to gradual paralysis in his back legs. My friends told me over the phone that poor Freddie had gone downhill in the last week and this was probably the time. I immediately flew back from Spain and arranged for the vet to come out to me and Freddie's home. I took him for a last walk and realised that it was completely right to make sure his life ended with dignity intact instead of him being incapacitated in some terrible way. I gave him some lovely food and lots of biscuits and sat with him and stroked him and took pictures while we waited for the dreaded visit. He was getting very thin, didn't look happy anymore and had lost his spark. He was simply very very old. I had been trying to prepare myself for this for 2 months but it is simply the most awful thing I have ever had to experience. I know that if Freddie could have talked, he would have asked me to end it. I knew he relied on me to do the right thing at the right time for him. I had to be very brave because I certainly wasnt going to let my lifelong best friend down at this time. A lovely lady vet came out and Freddie simply and painlessly went to sleep. He is now at peace forever. I havent stopped crying for 3 days but I know I didnt let my best mate down and I have many happy memories of a great dog that gave so much happiness to so many. God bless you Freddie and thankyou for all the good times, love and companionship you gave. You were a special gentle dog who loved people and they loved you back.