Maldon’s Esther Brooker brought Leffe into the family for her son initially, but now the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become a life-long friend she couldn’t be without
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About Esther Brooker
I was born in Buckinghamshire, but have lived in Essex for about three years after marrying my childhood sweetheart in 2011. A new start for the family was needed and we all moved to Essex and started a new life and family business. She now runs Feel the Heat in Maldon
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My Pet
Name: Leffe
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Colour: Fawn
Age: 11
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What do you enjoying doing with Leffe?
Walking Leffe has been a great past time that we have enjoyed together. There are some wonderful walks around Maldon and Leffe enjoys the beach, especially the crabbing. When she was younger she would wait for the stones to be lifted for her, but now she is in there listening and ready to pounce.
How did Leffe join your family?
I re-homed Leffe when she was three. I never really wanted a dog, but it was my son, who at the time was eight and going through a hard time at school, that got me thinking about it. My idea was that his focus would be on the dog and not school and Leffe soon became the centre of his world and a genuine family member.
Are there any special memories you have with Leffe?
Like many pets that eat their way through many things over the years, Leffe has eaten her way through her dog bed (because it was lumpy) and taken a liking to the contents of the bin rather than eating her dinner. But Leffe will always take it to the next level. One morning she was left in the caravan while I popped out. I could see her watching me from the sofa as a drove off, thinking she would be fine. One hour later I got a phone call from a friend saying, ‘We have your dog’. Thinking someone has just let her out by mistake, I phoned my son to collect her. He then phoned me to say she had eaten her way out of the caravan! I thought, perhaps through the door or out of the window, but no, she had worked through the wall of the caravan. It looked like a cartoon picture where a dog-size hole was blown through the side of the caravan.
What makes Leffe so special?
Now she has reached her later years she spends her days with me in the shop, Feel the Heat in Maldon. She enjoys meeting and greeting customers and having a log fire all to herself. She has even learnt to come and tell me when the fire is dying down and it needs another log. Having Leffe was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I didn’t know it at the time, but she has become a true friend and devoted companion.
