Western Daily Press (Saturday)
New canine sidekick for popular Big Issue seller
ABIG Issue vendor and Only Fools and Horses fan welcomed his new dog Trigger to his pitch in the West this week.
Generous passers-by in Bath had helped Ian Duff fundraise to buy Trigger following the death of his beloved pointer springer Boycie on Christmas Day.
Ian, 55, described losing 16-yearold Boycie as “like losing a son” as he was his “constant companion”.
The pair were like a landmark in Bath as they were so recognisable, selling the magazine outside Waitrose every day.
Following Boycie's death, Ian's customers raised more than £600 to help him after they heard the tragic news.
This week he welcomed Trigger to his pitch and has given the money raised to help him to charity.
Trigger, named like his predecessor in tribute to an Only Fools and Horses character, has immediately taken to his new life.
Ian said: “He's been perfect on the pitch. He's done exactly what Boycie's done. He's gone there and been like ‘I'm at work'.
“He's had a few blips, he misses the small dog he was with before, and so every small dog he wants to go up and play with.
“But, for now, he's been brilliant.” Boycie had accompanied Ian on his pitch for 13 years before his death at the end of last year.
Ian even briefly retired from selling The Big Issue last year in a bid to give the dog “a long overdue rest”.
He took a job as a chef but it didn't work out in the end.
Ian said that Boycie was the reason so many people came to visit his pitch and buy the magazine.
Boycie's death left Ian searching for another dog to fill the hole left in his life, a mission that touched the hearts of customers, who raised more than £600 to help him cover the costs of a replacement pet.
Luckily Ian did not need the funds as he was connected with 11-monthold Trigger, a mixed breed of an Alsatian and a border collie, according to Ian, through rescue animal charity Dia's Legacy.
With his customers' blessing, the Bath-based vendor donated the cash raised to The Big Issue's charitable arm, The Big Issue Foundation.
Ian said: “It's fantastic to have a dog around again, I can't believe it. My customers love him already. He's quite a big dog already at 11 months but he's so gentle and everyone just adores him so far.”
The Big Issue can be bought from 1,300 vendors around the UK or via an online subscription.