'Loads of people turned up to see him': Community comes together to give dog perfect last few days

Kofi, a German Shepherd, was owned by profession dog walker and trainer Fiona Gilmore, who wanted to make his last few days as special as possible after taking the decision to put him down.

She explained: “I’ve had him since he was seven weeks old.

Dunbar community came together to make a fuss of Kofi in his last few days.

"He’s always had a problem with his legs, a muscle would contract causing his leg to twist.”

Although Kofi lived a long and happy life, at almost 12 years old, walking with a wobbly gait had taken its toll, leading to painful back and leg problems.

It was decided that the vet would put Kofi down on Saturday, and Fiona vowed to ensure his last few days were the happiest.

She continued: “He loved going to the garden centre.

Dunbar community came together to make a fuss of Kofi in his last few days.

"As he was a German Shepherd, some people can be a bit worried coming over, but I didn’t want his last visit there to have no one to say hello to him.

"So, I put on Facebook asking if anyone saw us to come over.

"Loads of people turned up to see him.

“Someone had hidden a present for him behind the potatoes for him to find, and people had bags of treats and things.”

Dunbar community came together to make a fuss of Kofi in his last few days.

The day after the trip to the Dunbar Garden Centre, Fiona held a small party for Kofi in the garden, where they fired up the BBQ and fed him all of his favourite food.

Fiona smiled: “He had steak and salmon. He likes ripping up boxes so a friend brought some boxes round for him.

"He also loves man trailing.

"When we went to the vets, the day he died, the vet nurse went to hide behind the building so that he could find her.

"One last trail.

"He also loved the beach, so that’s where I took him on the last morning.

"The local Hardware shop had contacted me asking me to bring him in so they could make a fuss and give him some biscuits.

"Everyone was so sweet.”

Fiona also has a younger German Shepherd, Novak, and walks and trains dogs in the Dunbar area.

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