My name is Beth and I am blessed to have the love and support of my constant companion BEAR who is beautiful inside and out with a kind soul to match.

During my working life I ran an animal rescue charity that helped 700+ animals a year. I worked hard 24/7 and knew each animal by name caring for them through recovery from neglect and abuse until they found their forever homes.

Rewarding work which I am proud of doing. The emotional stress came with a heavy price and I became ill and unable to continue the work I loved.

Then in 2010 along came BEAR who was the first member of my household to have never been abused or mistreated. He was the first one I chose to have forever even before he arrived. Every other animal that had previously lived with me came with a story of hardship, in need of guidance and love. Many unhomable to other people but deserving if at least feeling warm and loved with a full tummy.

BEAR arrived confident and full of mischief, already knowing how to play and sleep soundly unafraid of life. It was quite a learning curve for me to love a dog that didnt have traits or issues to be addressed or a fear of something in everyday life!

He could sit, lie down and give a paw by 10 weeks. Toilet trained by 11 and at 12 weeks could speak on command, be silent, fetch and come back on recall.

Life was wonderful as he and I explored the sea and hills meeting all kinds of farm animals in our persuit of socialisation.

Then 5 years ago I became ‘disabled’ needing to walk with a frame and developed siezures.

BEAR never faltered and trained himself to be an assistance dog, warning me to get to a crash mat as a fit was imminent. Fetching a toy he would lay alongside me with a paw resting gently on my chest for as long as it took for the shaking, weird illegible speech and chaos to end.

He is loved by the entire NW ambulance service who ask carers to let him out upon thier arrival as 999 operators instruct that animals are shut away before they arrive.

Many a crew member and even policemen called to attend want to take him home although he looks upon those in uniform as interferring because in his opinion he has everything under control. !!! He will however accept the odd treat and gentle affection in reward for his efforts - as soon as he knows his mum is ok.

We walk with his lead wrapped around my waist as he stays level with the walking frame, never pulling or forgetting his place even though hos walking strides had to be reduced to small steps to walk as slowly as i now do. He has lots of friends that take him out and ensure he gets enough excercise and time out.

His bed was a 5ft x 3ft low table with a deep memory foam matress in the bay window so he could watch people passing.

He faced left to watch kids go to school and right to see them all return home. When he is outside they will all stop to pet him on their way past.

In march 2016 he became sore on his back end after bumping it on a walk. He had metacam for 5 days and he was fine continuing to do a 4 ft leap to sit with hos ball by his favourite tree with ease.

Then

On new years eve 2018 the vet advised that they thought he was showing signs of hip displacia and spinal problems as a few weeks prior he developed this funny foot stamping walk upon waking up. The xrays alone would be £400 as he weights a fit and healthy 52kgs. Treatment will be upto £10,000!

No problem, he has always been covered by pet insurance although he has never had reason to use it. Like all savvy owners I shop around each year for the best policy ensuring there has never been a lapse during the swap.

This is where it all went wrong and even with my training and experience I didnt grasp that the disclosure of ‘EXISTING CONDITIONS’ doesnt mean an ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS but ANY sort of treatment on ANY bodily part ANYTIME in the past. So the fact that in his 9 years he has had 3 short periods (totalling 15 days) of metacam (anti inflamatory) and had 3 days worth of powders for an upset tummy the new INSURERS arent obliged to pay for anything around those ‘issues’ because i didnt DECLARE THEM AS AN EXISTING CONDITIONS.

Bad news for Bear and his mum who would rather live on the streets than deny him treatment to keep him pain free. Currently applying for loans but low income is a huge hurdle.