A FAMILY devastated by the loss of their dog have created a memorable tribute to inspire others to be ‘full of joy’ like him.

Owner Vicky Houston, 25, lost her Golden Retriever Oscar when he passed away just weeks after he turned 13.

Ayr Advertiser: Oscar loved going to Barassie beach.Oscar loved going to Barassie beach.

Determined to lift spirits at her Troon home, she decided to do something to remember him in an unique way, by giving out tennis balls for other dogs.

A basket filled with newly bought clean tennis balls with a picture of Oscar was placed next to a bench at Barassie Beach dedicated to her gran, who died 12 years ago.

Ayr Advertiser: A basket full of tennis balls was placed down at Barassie beach next to a memorial bench to the Houston's gran.A basket full of tennis balls was placed down at Barassie beach next to a memorial bench to the Houston's gran.

The basket encouraged other owners to take a free tennis ball and said: “Remember to live like Oscar with unconditional, love, loyalty and happiness.”

Vicky told the Advertiser: “We had to say goodbye to Oscar on the Saturday, May 23. It was quite quick. We were all devastated after losing him, but I wanted to do something to remember him by without it making us sad.

“We took the basket down, but we never expected any kind of response from it.”

“The bench has been there for my gran, who used to love coming down to Troon from Glasgow. She loved Oscar and it was a chance for them to have a memorial together.”

Since placing the basket on the same day they lost their pet, thousands have reacted to it, with an outpouring of love and grief for Oscar.

Ayr Advertiser: Oscar spent every moment of his life full of joy.Oscar spent every moment of his life full of joy.

Vicky said: “The response has been amazing.

“It has given us something to laugh and smile about, Oscar is known by thousands of people now. It’s turned something that was very sad for all of us into something positive.”

More than 70 tennis balls have been placed in the basket, with Vicky running down every day to top it up, and neighbours generously purchasing extras for the basket.

Ayr Advertiser:

Some families have been sending in videos of their four legged friend chasing one of the tennis balls in the garden.

Vicky, who is currently furloughed from her job, hopes the tribute to Oscar has helped people during the coronavirus lockdown.

She added: “There’s been a lot of negative stuff out there and it can be a lot to take in.

“But for Oscar, every moment he had was just sheer joy. It has made us think – we can all just take a minute and remember there is a positive in everything.”

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