One last walkies (Even if I have to carry you, old friend)
Hundreds turn out to join Walnut the whippet before he’s put to sleep
IT WAS to have been Walnut’s last walk, a trip to a favourite beach for a dog who has touched the hearts of the nation.
But the 18-year-old whippet yesterday had to be carried to the water’s edge for his last goodbye, wrapped in his familiar checked blanket and held lovingly by his tearful owner Mark Woods.
He was joined more than 300 people, and almost as many pets, who had been touched by the emotional bond between man and dog, and who wanted to pay their own tribute to Walnut.
News of poor Walnut’s fate spread around the world after Mr Woods posted online his intention to give his frail and elderly pet a final stroll on Porth Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, before putting him down.
The whippet, named after the Walnut Whip chocolate, had suffered two strokes and was barely able to stand. But his plight united dog-lovers the world over – and Mr Woods, 53, was inundated with thousands of messages of support.
‘It’s been overwhelming,’ he said. ‘I’ve had no children and Walnut has been my child over all these years.
‘What a beautiful final tribute’
The walk was part of my effort to make Walnut’s last day as normal as possible.’ In the end, it was anything but… Mr Woods, a business developer, intended his internet post to be read only by local dog-owners who greeted the pair each day on their walk. Posting on a Newquay community noticeboard, he wrote: ‘Sadly I am having to have Walnut euthanised on Saturday, November 12, and so we will be having a last walk together on his beloved Porth Beach at 9.30am. I would love it if dog lovers/owners and friends would join us for a celebration of Walnut on his favourite Porth Beach.’
However, the message went viral, with people saying they would stage their own walks in tribute to Walnut in cities across the world.
Mr Woods, who has since been interviewed by radio stations from around the world as the story spread, said: ‘This really celebrates the special relationship I have had with Walnut. In human years he’s well over 100.
‘He helped me survive a very serious illness – though I think he’s also cost me relationships. I’m on my second marriage and I’ve been engaged three times. I think it was often a problem with my girlfriends that I always put Walnut first.’
Indeed, in his final weeks Walnut has even been sharing his owner’s marital bed – with wife Lisa, 47, relegated to the spare room. But Mr Woods said Lisa had always accepted that Walnut was the love of his life. The couple own three other whippets – Charlie, Monty and Nelson.
Among those joining Walnut on the beach yesterday was Lou Pearce, 42, who had driven an hour from St Austell with her seven-year-old whippet Honey. She said: ‘I think this is the most wonderful thing to do and I wanted to support him.’
Walnut’s story even affected TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, who was reduced to tears when he reported it on ITV’s This Morning, while fellow broadcaster Ben Fogle tweeted yesterday: ‘What a beautiful final tribute to man’s best friend.’
Walnut was put down by a vet at 11.30am yesterday after a final meal of shortbread biscuits. He will be cremated and the ashes returned to his owners in an urn.
‘I didn’t want to bury him in the garden in case we ever move,’ Mr Woods said. ‘He was always happiest when he was close to me.’