Oldham mountain rescuer pays tribute to beloved dog Jed who died aged 13

A dog handler with Oldham Mountain Rescue Team has paid a touching tribute to his loyal dog Jed who died last month at the age of 13.

Tony Tombs, from the Greenfield-based rescue team, said: “Jed was named after our late dear friend and team mate, John Edwards. Jed was born in Scotland, just over the border between Hawick and Jedbrough.

“The breeder had contact with one of the trainers in SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association) and so I went to visit.

“I described the characteristics I wanted in the dog and she said she understood exactly the requirements and, as it turned out, she was spot on.

“Bonding with Jed was made bombproof by sending my sweaty socks through the post so he could play and sleep with them!

“I also went to visit while he was still very young and would chew biscuits and mouth-feed him. It paid off; we were inseparable. A bonding I’ve not known before with any other dog.

“The qualities the breeder said would be there in Jed were present in abundance. He was bold, independent, tenacious and would work all day if you let him,” he said.

“I needed a dog with a spontaneous loud bark and boy did I get that!

“His indication (the bark) could be heard across valley and fellside and wouldn’t stop until me, Jed and casualty were all united!

“Jed had a really difficult start to life with a joint condition which required two separate operations on his shoulders, spending the first 18 weeks on cage rest.

“He defied the odds and developed a strength that enabled him to cover all terrain with a steady determination.

“Jed graded in 2015 in the Brecon Beacons with a masterly performance in his assessments.

“I retired him a few years ago as the anticipated arthritis in his shoulders started to become apparent and also following a significant fall from a crag in the Lakes while training.

“Jed will be my last Search Dog, but what a privilege to have spent 13 years with him.”

Tony added: “Jed was my wife Jo’s ‘dream boat’ as she called him as a pup and he was my best mate.

“RIP Jed… still on the hill.”