Goodbye My Friend

Well, this is a strange one to write because although not strictly dog related, it is connected to one of my best supporters. My "Website Guy" as I called him, Jeff. Who became a good friend over the last 7 years.

We would chat on a regular basis, or should I say, he would nag me to update my website or write another blog. "Come on Missus, do you realise how many hits your last blog has had" he would say.

I can't believe you are gone. Who is going to nag me now? That's why I thought it would be appropriate to write my next blog in your honour. So, this one is for you Jeff.

A lot of people said to me before I employed Jeff to do my website "do you really need a website? Surely everyone uses social media now". While that's true, since Jeff rebuilt my site back in 2017 and encouraged me to start writing blogs, my business has grown. I regularly get 2 or 3 enquiries a week and although most are from recommendations on social media, the contact is always done via the website. Jeff, for that I thank you and yes although I hate to admit it, you were right, a good website will attract new customers.

I'll miss our hour-long chats that would nearly always start with me ringing you saying I'd forgotten how to do something. Then would end up with us talking about anything but dogs or websites! I'll miss the banter, the laughs and I'll miss having someone I can call just to chew the fat.

I don't know what will happen with my website now, I'll be honest, whatever happens it won't be the same. I really don't know who I'm going to ask to help me with something "techy IT" related because you were always number one on that list of people to call. Every time I try to upload a photo, I'll have your voice in my head "don't take photos of dogs standing over them, get down to their level, you're married to a photographer!". I swear if patience could have kept you alive, you would have lived forever. I know how much of a challenge I was for you.

I'm sure you're reading this and will be having a chuckle to yourself and knowing you, would probably say something like "bloody hell it took me to die for you to write a blog". Your sick sense of humour was one of the reasons we hit it off straight away and became such good mates. Your ability to always encourage me to big myself up and realise I was actually quite good at what I do and to shout about it.

This year has just been so sad for me and as we are nearing the end of it, I can't believe I have lost yet another dear friend. Such a shock to hear the news as we only spoke just a few days before you were gone. Sleep tight mate and I promise, I will write another blog soon.

Much love

Sally xx