A RETIRED couple grieving the loss of their beloved cocker spaniel dog have sent a heart-felt thank you to the mystery taxi driver who helped their pooch to a dignified death.

Former nurse Anne Warburton, 69, and husband Robert, 72, were at home in Barcroft Road, Smithills, on Friday night when their eight-year-old golden cocker Chester became seriously ill with breathing difficulties

They contacted the emergency vet Pet Medics at Walkden and were asked to bring him into the surgery immediately.

Anne explained: "It was 11pm night and we and we had both had a drink, so we couldn't drive him to the practice ourselves.

"I called Metro Taxis and asked if they had any drivers who were willing to take us and Chester to Walkden.

"The driver who came, a Bolton-born man of Asian origin who said he was 41 and brought up in the Halliwell, was fantastic. He was so kind.

"It was very difficult because of the coronavirus lockdown. We couldn't go in like we would normally do. Chester had to go in on his own, but the driver waited with us for more than an hour while they examined him.

"Eventually, we had to leave Chester there and on Sunday we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go and he was to sleep.

"If it had not been for that taxi driver we would have been faced with driving after having a drink or watching Chester die before our eyes totally helpless.

"He would have had a horrible death as it would be like drowning due to his lungs filling with fluid."

She said that Chester was suffering from cardiomyopathy and heart failure at the time.

Anne added: "The taxi driver enabled Chester to have a very dignified end and the family to retain very happy memories."

The Bolton News has contacted Metro Taxis who have so far been unable to identify who the driver was.