Pudsey’s death ‘was hardest decision of my life’
Written by News on 22/07/2017
The owner of Britain’s Got Talent dog Pudsey has said putting him down was the "hardest decision" of her life.
Ashleigh Butler and her canine companion won the sixth series of the talent show with a routine to the Mission Impossible soundtrack.
Ms Butler paid tribute to her "beautiful boy" after he had to be euthanised on Thursday following a leukaemia diagnosis.
"I had to make the hardest decision of my life to let my beautiful boy go to sleep at the age of 11," she said.
"From the minute he was born he brought nothing but joy to me, and as a winner of BGT millions of others who adored him too.
"No words can express just how much I will miss him.
"He changed my life and I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. He will always be in my heart."
Six months after becoming the first dog to win the ITV show in May 2012, a book titled Pudsey: My Autobidography, was released, charting the pet’s rise to fame.
He also met the Queen at a Royal Variety Performance later in 2012.
As well as winning canine competitions, the pooch – a border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested cross – went on to star in Pudsey The Dog: The Movie in 2014.
Following their TV victory, Ms Butler and Pudsey went on a trip to the US, where they performed on America’s Got Talent and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
BGT judges David Walliams and Amanda Holden both paid tribute to the talented pooch.
Walliams posted: "Farewell to a very special dog that the nation fell in love with. #Pudsey @BGT".
Holden said: "My thoughts go out to Ashley and this little talented ‘human with fur’ #RIPPudsey".
Ms Butler’s agent said she would continue to work with her other dog, Sully.
He will fill in for Pudsey this Christmas as the pair perform in Jack And The Beanstalk at the High Wycombe Swan Theatre.
(c) Sky News 2017: Pudsey’s death ‘was hardest decision of my life’
