A FAMILY has been left crushed after their dog was ‘scared to death’ on Bonfire Night.
Judith and Malcolm Watson said their dog, Dexter, suffered a heart attack after fireworks were set off around their home in Hemlington, North Yorkshire.
Shortly after 6pm, a loud bang caused Dexter to run out of the room, trembling and shaking, before he collapsed.
Judith, 63, said: “I thought he was just in there trembling at first but he was laid flat out on the floor, then I realised he had gone.
“I don’t know exactly where dogs’ hearts are but I tried pressing his chest and blowing into his mouth.
“But it was so quick and there was nothing I could do to bring him back.”
Malcolm, 67, would usually treat Dexter with walk to the fish and chip shop and a battered sausage on Fridays.
The family decided to keep him home instead as Dexter, like many pets, was nervous of loud noises and fireworks.
After the Labrador-Staffie cross collapsed, a distraught Judith called Malcolm who rushed home.
Judith said: “I was screaming and shouting Dexter’s name over and over,
“I was just hugging the dog and crying for a long time.
“At the time I really wanted to hit something. There was that almighty bang then another one came when he had already gone.
“It did die down eventually. And it’s all finished now – people have had their so-called fun but our whole lives have changed.
“He still had a lot of life left, it’s so unfair and so senseless.”
We have lost a member of our family
Dexter was also a much-loved friend of the couple’s two-year-old granddaughter, Liliah-Mae.
Judith said: “My son had to try and explain to her he’s gone,”
“She came in and said ‘Dexter’s gone’ and held her arms out to my husband.
“She kept mentioning him during the day and even when we got her home she asked about him again and we had to say ‘no, he’s not here’.”
Dexter was 10 years old and had arthritis but still loved his walks, going to the beach and playing with his ball.
“He still thought he was six months old – he was so bright and happy and highly energetic,” said Judith.
“So many things are going to change for us. We have lost a member of our family,” she said.
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