Ashleigh Butler regrets not allowing her talented pet pooch Pudsey to enjoy retirement before his sudden death.
The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winner was left devastated over the summer when the adorable Bichon Frise-cross with Border Collie and Chinese Crested powderpuff sadly died following a four-day illness at the age of 11 and has admitted her biggest regret is not giving her furry friend the chance to "get fat, eat and sleep" before his passing.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Monday (27.11.17), she said: "That’s the hard thing for me. I always wanted Pudsey to have a retirement so he had chance to be an old man. So he would get fat, and eat and sleep and everything. For me, everything he had done for not just me but for everyone, and promoting canine freestyle, I think that’s what he deserved. For me, it was the hardest thing he didn’t get that."
Ashleigh’s other dog Sullivan, known as Sully, has been performing with her since Pudsey’s death and, although the two mutts had been like "brothers", she’ll never be able to replace the canine, who became a household name in 2012 when he won the talent show and performed at the Royal Variety Performance later that year.
She said previously: "Sully will stay as Sully. I can’t change him into Pudsey. He grew up with Pudsey. Sully really looked up to him."
Ashleigh announced Pudsey had passed away on her Instagram account in July.
Posting a collection of photos of the pair together, she wrote at the time: "I can’t honestly believe I am writing these words. My handsome man has gone, and I don’t know what to do without him.
"My heart is broken, and I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. It hurts so much, that my handsome, incredible Pudsey Bear will never be by my side, where he belongs, again.
"We only had 11 years together, but they were the best years ever. He was my one in a billion dog that will never be replaced. I don’t need to write all of his endless accomplishments on here to prove how incredible he was for me.
"Sleep tight my handsome man, I love you lots xxxx (sic)"
Ashleigh Butler wishes pet pooch Pudsey could’ve retired
