Nic Preston and his husband Neil adopted 11-month-old terrier Teddy in early 2021, and he became their best friend. Little did they know about the role he’d play in Nic’s life.
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A dumped lockdown puppy
Nic and Neil, who were together for 21 years, adopted a rescue dog, Teddy, from the Manchester & Cheshire Dogs Home. He was a lockdown puppy who’d been given up and had some challenging behaviours. But the couple knew that with time and love, and some proper training, they could help him. Unsurprisingly, Teddy throve in their care and soon became an ‘incredibly affectionate bundle of love, with endless energy'. Nic and Neil were ‘besotted with him’.
Sadly, Neil was diagnosed with cancer in November 2021, aged 48, and died in the hospice on Boxing Day just 6 weeks later.
‘[My dog Teddy] is a connection to Neil & the life & love we shared - he is my best friend.’
— WAY Widowed and Young (@WidowedAndYoung) October 14, 2022
A lovely article in @DailyMirror by @EimearFreelance featuring WAY member Nic sharing how his dog Teddy - & WAY - have helped since his husband Neil died 💙🐶https://t.co/wQ9N00Mtlf
‘He's my best friend’
According to Nic, the last weeks of Neil’s life went ‘fast and traumatic’, but having Teddy around helped both of them. The pooch was allowed to visit the hospice, and instead of running around like he normally does, he was very calm, cuddling up to Neil in bed and licking his arm.
Nic said:
It was as if he sensed what was happening.
Teddy also supported the bereaved husband by sitting quietly behind his owner in the crematorium during the funeral.
Since then, Nic has been navigating the loss and grief with his four-legged loyal companion, and he’s not sure how he’d survive without the pup.
The bereaved husband admitted:
In the early weeks and months after Neil died, there were some days when I just didn’t even want to get up, but Teddy made me. I had a responsibility to him and I knew I couldn’t just give up.
He is my best friend, my comfort and my reason to get up in the morning. He’s given me the courage and confidence to believe I can carry on and forge a good life.
Living with the loss
Nic took some steps to reach out other bereaved people, and even then Teddy had a role to play. He sought support from the charity WAY (Widowed and Young) and met up with other widowed dog owners for walks, and ‘made some great friendships’.
In July this year, Teddy accompanied Nic to Pride in London. Since Neil died, he's ‘struggled with anxiety and being in big crowds’, but with his loving pet by his side he ‘could not only attend but enjoy the day’. According to Nic, Teddy had a great time too.
To Nic, Teddy is so much more than just a pet.
He admitted:
He’s a connection to Neil, and the life and love we shared, and he is my best friend.
Sources used:
- Daily Record: 'Man who lost husband to cancer says rescue dog gives him courage to carry on'
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