Marty’s Last Day: Celebrating a Life with My Reactive Dog
Marty wasn’t just my first reactive dog—he was my teacher, my inspiration, and the reason I approach every dog with patience, respect, and understanding. Living with him taught me more about anxiety, sensitivity, and the way dogs interact with the world than any other ever will.
Marty’s Journey
When Marty came into our life, he was anxious and reactive. New places, other dogs, livestock and moving vehicles could set him off. But beneath the reactivity was a dog full of curiosity, loyalty, and an old soul. Over the years, I learned to read his signals, respect his boundaries, and celebrate his small victories; and I like to think we made his life x10 better too. I wrote about him a couple of weeks ago here.
His Last Day
Marty’s last day was filled with chaos and the things he loved most, maybe with a bit of calm thrown in,,.
We started with a visit to my parents - because Marty loves his Granny, Grandad and Uncle Ethan [soz Dad]. We then drove to one of Lewis and Marty’s favourite places - Druridge Bay!
After a stroll from the carpark through the dunes, we found a spot on the beach to make camp and then got cracking with Marty’s favourite things: chasing a ball, shouting at the waves, and digging to the other side of the world. I think he wondered why we were ‘being weird’ and getting all teary.
After making a ruckus on the beach and getting sand in every possible nook and cranny, we took him to Spurreli for the best ice cream in Northumberland, and a wander on the braid.
Marty then humoured me and let me take him through Barter Books to take a picture I have been thinking about for years. It was really busy and Marty took it all in his stride, and got lots of lovely compliments from other visitors.
All round he was a bloody good egg!
At the end of the day we took him to see Auntie Yaz at Yorkshire Pooches and Yaz had lots of tasty illegal treats for him, and facilitated his euthanasia appointment [more on this in a later post].
After his sedative he tried to get in his emotional support cupboard one last time [IFYKYK], and then had the best dreams before leaving us behind.
It was a day of gratitude for the joy he brought into our lives, the lessons he taught us, and the bond we shared. Though saying goodbye was soul-destroying, I felt okayish knowing he was surrounded by love, dignity, and family until the very end.
Lessons from Marty
Marty taught me that reactive dogs are not “difficult” or “broken.” They’re sensitive, expressive, and deserving of understanding. He showed me the power of patience, how important it is to create safe spaces, and why every small step toward confidence matters.
These lessons live on in every dog I work with, especially in my photography sessions. Reactive or anxious dogs can thrive in the right environment, and capturing them in those calm, authentic moments is one of the greatest joys of my work.
Honouring His Memory
I honour Marty every day through my work, my photography, and the dogs I help. Every calm glance, playful moment, and relaxed pose in a session reminds me of him. His life continues to inspire how I create experiences for reactive dogs, ensuring they feel safe, celebrated, and loved.