Tributes paid to popular Cupar dog who helped raise over £30k for charity

Spike passed away aged 16 last week, almost three years after retiring following a nine-year spell helping owner Ken Scott.

The pair were inseparable, with Spike not only helping Ken in his day-to-day life, but also helping raise vital funds for the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.

Ken and Spike would visit schools, clubs and organisations around Fife, talking about hearing dogs, and in doing so helped raise more than £30,000 for the charity.

As well as raising funds, Spike also changed Ken’s life.

“He changed Ken’s life,” explained his partner, Sandra Donaldson.

“Ken wouldn’t go out – or, if he did, he would be holding onto your arm the entire time. Spike made him more confident.

“He alerted him to mobile phone calls and messages, was his alarm clock, let him know the door bell had gone. He would paw Ken on the leg and take you to what he wanted to alert you to.”

Ken suffers tinnitus and, when Spike retired in 2017, Olly took over and followed in his pawprints.

Despite his retirement, Spike would continue to help out and alert Ken.

He also remained well known in the Cupar area.

People in the town have been sending sympathy cards having heard the sad news.

“I’m sure everyone in Cupar knew him,” explained Sandra.

“We’ve met thousands of people through Spike because of him being such a lovable character.”

Spike also won various awards and appeared on TV.

A fundraising page has been launched to raise funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in memory of Spike. To make a donation, visit the website – www.gofundme.com/f/spikes-last-push.