A FILM and TV star is among the pet owners who have paid tribute to their dogs in a series of inspiring love letters.
Adrian Scarborough, of Gavin and Stacey and Killing Eve fame, said his dog had made him "a better person" in an emotional contribution to the Love Letters to Dogs project by Brighton dog groomers Bone Idol.
The business, which has a shop in St James's Street and its own dog groomer training academy in Hove, has been publishing letters from dog owners around the country with a heartwarming story to tell about their pooch.
The award-winning actor Adrian Scarborough wrote about his beloved West Highland Terrier, Watson, who had to be put down last year due to cancer.
Although The Kings Speech star had initially been a reluctant pet owner, he found the day his family brought Watson home to be a "defining moment" in his life.
He wrote: "That day…I was changed for good. When that incredible, hilarious, fluffy, bundle of character, barrelled into our house, I became a nicer guy.
"What Watson helped us discover, is that our life is happier, healthier and more rewarding with a dog in it.
"After experiencing life with a dog…Why would you want to live life without one?"
Other dog-owners to tell their tale in the love letters series include author and music journalist Kris Needs, who fell for his future partner Helen and her dog Jack at the same time.
When Helen developed a terminal illness in 2016, Jack became Kris' main responsibility.
He wrote: "He was my lifeline and demonstrated such intuition and ability to lift the spirits.
"Jack got me through the darkest days after Helen was taken away and now makes life under lockdown bearable as I protect my mum."
The letters also feature Bagheera, more commonly known as Baggy - the first pet dog to help tackle air pollution, who made international headlines last year.
Baggy's 14-year-old owner Tom decided to attach an air pollution monitor to her collar and found that pollution levels are far worse at her height - which is equivalent to toddler and pushchair height.
His discovery attracted media attention across the UK.
Tom wrote: "With Baggy always by my side, I didn't feel nervous being interviewed. I love that we've done something to help and we've done it together.
"The bond I have with Baggy is amazing."
Tom is now campaigning for the Environment Agency to test air pollution at a lower level, and has written a book during lockdown about indoor air pollutants, titled Baggy and Me: An Indoor Air Pollution Survival Guide.
Bone Idol founder Scott Learmouth said: "The Love Letters series has been so fun to put together and it is an absolute joy to hear these moving stories from famous faces.
"When we read Adrian's piece there was not a dry eye in the house. Everyone who has a dog or any pet can relate to those sentiments, and the same goes for all of the people who have taken part.
"Dogs are universal and reading these stories make us realise how important they are to us.
"We obviously love dogs at Bone Idol, and this project is a way to reflect that."
To read the love letters in full , visit www.boneidol.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel