Pet owners create book of tributes to tragic vet
DURING her career as an island vet, she treated countless dogs, cats, ponies, hamsters and rabbits.
So when Theresa Wade was killed by a drink-driver, animal owners on Mull, Argyll, created a book of condolence praising her hard work, devotion and compassion – and sharing their grief at her death.
Miss Wade, 29, was killed in October 2015 when Thomas Wainwright, 27, ploughed into her Berlingo van in his hired Maserati sports car.
He had spent more than eight hours downing whisky and cider and was travelling at speeds of up to 95mph just before he hit her – while on the wrong side of the road. He was jailed for 12 years last week.
The book features pet pictures and owners’ messages, and those paying tribute in it include mother-of-three Joanne MacDougall, 40, whose dog Tyke had been bitten by a snake. The housewife wrote: ‘Being the vet wasn’t just her job – it was her whole way of life, her calling. We were incredibly lucky to have her.’
Postwoman Jackie Heckford provided pictures for the book of her two cross-breeds, Pods and Callie, who both had to be put down.
The 62-year-old said: ‘Theresa totally understood the grief I was feeling. Only an animal lover can understand that grief.’
Jo Weston wrote about her cat, named Cat: ‘Thank you Theresa. Against the odds and due to your care Cat is still going strong.’
Kirsty MacIntyre submitted a picture of her dog and wrote that Miss Wade ‘helped our dearest wee Peanut when she gained her angel wings, RIP’. The pet lovers clubbed together to pay for the 30-page book’s publication.
Miss Wade’s partner, former hotelier Charles Pease, 61, said: ‘It came as a total surprise – but a very beautiful one. It means an awful lot to Theresa’s family and me to have this lasting, written reminder of the love she was held in.’
Miss Wade was raised on Mull and her parents, Mary and Trevor, ran a shop on the island. They said it had been a dream of their ‘wonderful girl’ to be a local vet.
‘We were incredibly lucky to have her’ Rowan hates vets on principle but he loved Theresa GRIEF: Quote and photo from book