Dog who starred in teary film with Worksop pensioner dies

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bullet had just been adopted by Worksop pensioner couple Roy and Anne Howe when he was chosen for the heart-wrenching story.

In the video Ann, 82, plays the role of an elderly woman who dies - leaving Bullet in the care of animal lovers played by staff at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.

A sad scene shows the mutt being left outside the shelter in a cage with a note reading “my name is Alfie, my owner has died, there is on-one to look after me”.

As a slow, piano version of Coldplay’s Fix You is heard in the background various prospective owners visit the dog at the sanctuary but the hopeful canine is rejected.

However he is finally rehomed and visited by his late owner’s ghost - watching over him until the right family takes him in.

Bullet died of a heart attack on December 28, having arrived at the couple’s home two months earlier with liver failure.

Saddened Roy, 81, described how the couple ‘had two good months’ with 10-year-old Bullet before ‘the kidney failure started to take hold’.

He said: “When the video was shot he was already starting to decline and it got progressively worse and he lost a lot of weight.

“He managed to give us Christmas but on Boxing Day went downhill rapidly and he died of a heart attack at 5.15am on Monday December 28.

“I was with him at the end so he was not alone - may God bless and keep him. In the short time he was with us he gave us such pleasure.”

However Roy told how since the video’s release in December Thornberry had smashed its fundraising target of £2,000 by nearly £300 - with the proceeds helping build new kennels.

Former power station engineer Roy told the Guardian how he and Ann had taken in stray dogs ever since they married 60 years ago.

But as they got older the duo decided to take in older dogs - afraid a younger animal might outlive them and be left alone.

Speaking about taking in elderly animals Roy said: “You’re giving old dogs - who are often abandoned - a new home.

“They’re such good companions and they’re always happy to see you.”

Thornberry fundraising manager Jed Jenkins-Omar, speaking about Bullet’s appearance in the video said: “ I wrote the story based on the sad situation we see often see where a dog or cat comes to us because their owner has died - and the advert explores the journey some of our animals go through.

"2020 has seen a drastic increase in underground breeding and dog thefts as the demand for dogs has increased.

“It’s expected that next year animal rescue charities like Thornberry will bear the brunt of this as owners give up their dogs to go back to work, realise that they are unable to manage their behaviour or that they do not suit their circumstances anymore.”

You can donate to Alfie’s Hope appeal at www.justgiving.com/campaign/alfieshope.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.