Teens' heartwarming act for total stranger after she loses dog in tragic accident
“I mentioned it to the boys and they immediately asked if they could put their busking money together to pay for the new puppy," proud dad Ben said.
Family Life
Don't miss out on the headlines from Family Life. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three brothers have selflessly put their money together to buy a Big Issue seller a new puppy after she lost her beloved dog in a tragic accident.
Daniel Shepard, 14, and his two brothers, Buddy, 13, and Pacy, 12, are regular buskers around Sidmouth, Devon, UK, and wanted to put their earnings to good use.
The brothers regularly saw Big Issue seller, Rebecca Grass, 43, and felt terrible when their dad, Ben, 40, told them that she’d lost her border collie, Poppy, in a tragic accident.
Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this.
The trio then asked their dad if they could put their money together to buy Rebecca a new dog as she was slowly trying to save £10 a week to buy herself a new one.
RELATED: 'Nailed it': Boy texts dad pretending he's mum to get what he wants
"It was a total surprise for her"
Daniel, Buddy and Pace surprised Rebecca with her new puppy, which she named Rainbow, at the hostel that she lives in. Proud dad, Ben, said Rebecca was in total shock and shaking at the boys’ gesture.
“One day I saw Rebecca’s partner, Mark, and I could tell he wasn’t himself,” he said.
“He explained to me that Rebecca’s dog had been run over and passed away. She was devastated and was trying to save £10 a month so she could eventually get herself a new dog.
“I mentioned it to the boys and they immediately asked if they could put their busking money together to pay for the new puppy for Rebecca.
“We didn’t tell Rebecca about our plans to get her a new puppy, so it was a total surprise for her.”
RELATED: Woman reflects on her transition from dog mum to human mum
"She was totally over the moon"
Ben said he did a “bit of digging” to discover Rebecca wanted a Border Collie, and then went to work finding a puppy nearby.
“It was £500, and we went to pick her up. As the couple couldn’t afford the vaccinations for the puppy, we sorted that out before taking the puppy to Rebecca,” he said.
“We surprised her with the new puppy at the hostel where she lives and her reaction was priceless. I thought she was going to pass out.
“She was shaking with shock. When the boys handed the puppy over to her, she was totally over the moon.
“It was a pleasure.”
Ben said the family always saw Rebecca out and about with her new pup.
“As the boys are still young, I don’t think they realise what it means to give back to people. I think they were shocked to see just how much it meant to her,” he said.
“Pacy plays the piano and he is phenomenal, and Daniel and Buddy play the guitar together. They’re blessed with their gift so it’s nice to do some good and give back.”
RELATED: Father tragically killed while trying to help family of ducks cross the road
"That void in my life has been filled by Rainbow"
Rebecca’s old dog, Poppy, was not only her best friend but also a support dog for her anxiety.
She was left heartbroken when she passed away after being hit by a car.
“My life was empty for the period I lived without Poppy and before the boys surprised me with the new puppy,” Rebecca said.
“I was so overwhelmed when they turned up with a dog for me, I just couldn’t believe it.
“They knew how much I was struggling without Poppy and wanted to help me. I was lost for words.
“I instantly knew I wanted to call her Rainbow because when a dog passes away it’s thought that they go over the rainbow bridge, and my mum also loved rainbows.
“I am so happy to have a dog back in my life again and I am so grateful that the boys did this for me.
“That void that I had has been filled by Rainbow.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Teens' heartwarming act for total stranger after she loses dog in tragic accident
Truth about girl’s fall from Disney cruise revealed
Social media was quick to assign blame, but the rumours have now been discredited.
How to talk to kids about staying safe
We teach them to say please and thank you - but are we teaching them how to say “no” when it matters most?