Stranger to take Dubai children’s gift to dying family pet in UK

A kind stranger has offered to help young siblings send a parting gift to their dying family pet back home in the UK.

Becky Purnell will help Amira and Thomas Lillywhite, 7, send their handmade comfort blanket to “Bob the dog” so he can take it to "heaven when he dies".

On Tuesday afternoon, the Dubai youngsters received the sad news that the 9-year-old sheepdog, who lives on their cousins’ farm in the UK, was diagnosed with late-stage cancer.

After posting an appeal on Facebook asking if anyone was flying out of Dubai on a repatriation flight, Ms Purnell, 25, stepped forward and offered to handover the blanket on behalf of the children.

"As soon as Amira found out about Bob, she just burst into tears," her mother, Hannah Lillywhite, told The National.

“Amira used to sit in my sister-in-law's garden and sing to Bob with his head on her lap.

“Whenever they visited, he just followed them all over the farm and village and would keep nudging them if they stopped hugging him.

“He has got a real thing for her and her twin brother, he is a daft but adorable farm dog.”

The Lillywhites were due to fly home to see Bob and their family at Easter, but with the global flight disruptions in place, the trip was cancelled.

A second planned trip for the summer was also postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, which left Amira and Thomas pining to see their furry friend.

“After I told them the news on Tuesday, Amira asked if she could make a blanket for Bob to keep him comfortable in his final weeks," said Ms Lillywhite.

“It was a good distraction for them to keep from being upset.

“My colleague just repatriated to Australia and I made her a quilt to bring home, so I think that’s where they got the idea from.

“They worked so hard on the blanket as they love him dearly. I helped them cut out the shapes but they did all the sewing.”

The children also stitched a hand-written note onto the blanket, which read: “Here is a blanket to cuddle with…the farm will never be the same without you”.

Having lived in the UAE for 24 years, Ms Lillywhite said she “loves the sense of community”, despite being miles from home.

And while she had a sudden panic about how she would get the blanket to the UK, she opted to send out a request on social media.

Within just a few minutes of posting her appeal on Facebook, she received several responses, including one from Ms Purnell, who is leaving the UAE on April 30.

“Becky is repatriating and offered to take the blanket back home for Amira and Thomas,” she said.

“To be going through the hassle of moving her life from one country to another, yet be so willing to help us out was extremely kind of her.”

Just two days ago, Ms Purnell, managed to book herself on a flight from Dubai to the UK.

“I have lived in the UAE for five years and since being here I have rescued and re-homed five cats,” she said.

“Seeing Hannah’s post on Facebook made me very emotional.

“With all that’s going on in the world, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to give back, help a family and put a smile on the children’s faces.”