A POPULAR Lake District pet shop has paid tribute to their 'Big Fella' who became a much-loved addition to their business.

Buddy the dog, who was a great hit and well-known feature of Podgy Paws pet shop in Keswick, died last week after nearly 10 happy years with Chris and Peter Harper.

He'd been rescued by the couple after he was picked up as a stray on the streets of Stoke.

His owners, and owners of Podgy Paws pet shop, Chris and Peter Harper said: "It is with a very heavy heart that we tell you of the passing yesterday of our beautiful Buddy after nearly 10 wonderful years with a truly special dog.

"Buddy came to us in 2014 from Greyhound Gap rescue after he was picked up as a stray on the streets of Stoke.

"To say he was a handful at the start is an understatement but with the help of our good friend Jen from Clever Dogs Dog Training, Buddy soon began to learn some manners and how to behave in the countryside."

Buddy was said to be 'the ultimate opportunist', often stealing beef and horseradish sandwiches.

He was said to have cost Chris and Peter a fortune in replacement coats for the ones he tore with his giant claws.

Buddy took the reigns at Podgy Paws from the couple's beloved Suggs and did his predecessor proud. He kept a watchful eye over proceedings in the shop and then latterly took the helm at the web unit 'where he had his own raised platform to keep a watchful eye on things'.

Being a mixture of two guard breeds – Great Dane and English Mastiff – he was the ultimate guard dog and nobody stepped over our threshold without his permission.

He loved being out on the fells, including Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Blencathra, Fairfield Horse Shoe, Coledale Round, Grisdale Horse Shoe.

Chris and Peter said: "We had the most amazing adventures with our boy; France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Cotswolds, Cornwall, Scotland – travelling in cable cars, walking down slopes of black runs in the alps, swimming in Lake Annecy and the river Rhine – Buddy loved to be on the go and doing something different.

"Life won’t be the same without our Big Fella but we are so proud to have had him in our lives and so happy that he chose us.

"He was the best company and we'll miss looking into the deep loving eyes and stroking those quirky ears.

"Thank you to Millcroft Veterinary Group for their care and compassion. Sleep well our gorgeous boy."