Stanley's Ashes Rideout
Slightly different blog, as it's a little tribute to Stanley and we are doing this ride to drop him off at a couple of places around Snowdon that he loved to walk.
This is where it began - even then Stan had a fascination with the motorbikes!! Going to see him in leominster before picking up at the age of 7-weeks...
Under his very special hiding place when he got in a bit of trouble, which was quite a bit in the early days; well he is a Lab so what would you expect???
And this is the very last photo of the brave lad.
One of his many jaunts up Yr Wyddfa. This picture was his 1st walk up The Watkin Path. He must have walked double the amount required as he'd be off in the distance and then come back and then go again!
And then he did it again a little later - he just loved it!!! Especially the end scramble. Whilst we were struggling he just kept going up and down and looking at us to saying "come on Mummy Daddy - keep up with me please, you're lagging behind" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Off he'd go again; this was at the foot of the end scramble and you can almost see the summit hidden in the mist above - you think it's close at this point, but nope it's not!!!!
It's just a bit overwhelming that we have lost our beautiful little boy. He had such a wonderful life and gave us everything that he is, that he was and that he will ever be. He was by Caroline's side all the way through the trauma of her brain episode, he was with me [Peter] everywhere I went - Stanley became our little boy, the one between Caroline and I and he was precious beyond belief.
At a grand old age of almost 13 he had had enough. On that Easter Monday, in April 2026 he just looked at me and told me he'd had enough. I knew it, we all knew it and our long drive to Keele to say good-bye was quiet and reflective. The long drive home was empty and desolate. I never knew how a dog could fill your life and leave a void so deep.
We have his ashes back today [Tuesday 14th April] and are planning to scatter him around many places - in particular the places he liked to poop, walk, run, swim and just be happy. 1st of all, a little walk, as is our tradition, around Strathalyn in the early evening.
Tennis ball alley - I would ping a tennis ball straight through the trees and Stan would sprint to get it and amble back so he didn't waste too much energy!!! He did this almost every day until age of around 7 when he hung up his running boots.
Next is his pooping lawn behind the terrace of our block....Leaving the back gate he would be seen loitering around anything that might have fallen out of bins - he was a hoover!!!!
A quick jump over the gate and off we went over the fields to do his favourite walk - it was circa 5 miles and always ended up in the pub.Stanley's Step - 'Nuff said!! He just loved sitting outside number 2 whilst we rented it. He would lie there for hours without moving, just watching
Finally, sitting outside the back gate of 15 - He watched me clean my bike, patiently waiting, patiently watching, faithful, loyal and loving to the end!!!
Here Stan can be seen floating away in the Strathalyn gardens and then down the stream where we used to stop for lunch on one of our very long walks - especially in Covid-19 Lockdown...
Followed by various drop off sites where Stan used to love sniffing and peeing against, Every area is a nice memory and when we walk them again, we'll always have exceptional memories of this incredible dog. 
He is resting with George and this was his 1st drop off site. In Helena and Gary's back garden. George was our inspration to get Stanley and the two dogs were the very best of friends all their lives - right to the end. Stan was with George in his last moments - with him to enjoy his last packet of crisps at the Nags Head and with him for a last lie down in Helena's kitchen. We were on a bike tour and missed it, but Stan was with George so it could not have been better planned - see the previous blog - a page within the Return to Tuscany Tour & the page in Hamburg when we heard the news about George George & Stan
Stan has his very own tree planted in his honour of being the 1st GL pub dog. Celabrated with a couple of shots.....
On to the bike day out now - a beautiful ride around and through Snowdon, stopping at the base of the Watkin and the Miners/Pyg tracks. Stan loved a walk up Snowdon.....
The signature sign off has particular poignancy as Stanley was the 1st dog allowed in the pub going back 13 years ago - P&C were regulars and Allan (Landlord) realised all the trade he'd be missing if we couldn't come with our dog. Stanley soon became the "Pub Dog' and everyone knew him.
R.I.P. Stanley Critchley
22.05.2013 - 06.04.2026
Signature Sign-off...
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