Troy Rogers (2013 - 2026) : An Obituary by Sarah Rogers
We sadly lost our beloved Troy a couple of weeks ago. He really was the very best of dogs and I know that many of you loved him too. Sarah has written this beautiful tribute to him, which is just gorgeous to read and really captures his personality. Please enjoy….
Troy had a lot to live up to. A local breeder described his litter as, ‘the Lamborghinis of Labradors’ – both parents had been Field Trial Champions, proven in their field. That said, the plump puppy we chose didn’t look like a champion, he just seemed very interested in us, following the children around and so they picked him.
Little did we know that loyalty to us all was to be his number one characteristic. With four young children and a business to run, he didn’t seem to mind that he was right at the bottom of the pecking order. He never complained if his walk schedule was erratic, or that he had to share his garden with 40,000 visitors. Indeed, he always took full advantage of chaos. Busy schedules often meant those at home were unsure if he had already been fed? If he had, he never let on and would happily eat multiple bowls of food with characteristic gusto. As Freddy once commented, ‘Imagine showing that level of enthusiasm for the same mug of dried dog food twice a day for your whole life!’ He would quiver in anticipation of it being poured into his bowl, his mouth drooling pools of saliva in expectation. And then, in seconds, the whole lot would be hoovered down.
Troy had so many friends and supporters at Riverhill. As well as being our family dog, he was also Kate’s ‘Office Assistant’, providing her with both support and unwanted flatulence. He was always available to do wedding viewings (although memorably he once did a poo in the middle of the Walled Garden whilst showing a couple around). He was so incredibly loyal to his friends and family. He was obsessed with trying to ‘save me’ if I was ever swimming. Although touching, this was incredibly annoying if you were trying to have a lovely sea swim and suddenly a labrador would appear, frantically pawing at your skin with his sharp claws. Once, he was convinced that I needed rescuing when I was kayaking on a lake in Wales. He had been shut away in the little cottage. As I looked back at the house from my kayak, I saw him emerging out of a first-floor window, sliding down the roof tiles. I screamed in horror and this was the evidence he needed: I was indeed in peril! With that, he leapt from the roof and managed to clear the garden fence. I’m not sure how he didn’t break all his legs!
Food played a huge part in Troy’s life. He like to supplement his dog food with rich pickings from the gardens and café. He realised that he need only stare at tenants or volunteers with starving eyes and they would produce treats for him. Thursdays were undoubtedly his favourite day. As we returned from the morning school run (he always accompanied us), he would sniff the air as we came down the drive. Who knew that the scent of his favourite volunteer (Chris) was so strong or recognisable! Despite my protestations, he would make a beeline for the ticket office, getting right under the counter so that I couldn’t retrieve him. There he would stay for her whole shift, helping Chris to welcome visitors and no-doubt sampling treats.
Life got better and better for Troy. First of all he had his own café next door that sold sausage rolls. He would wait patiently at the end of the day, sitting by the door in expectation of ‘left overs’. Next came the weddings. It didn’t take this labrador long to make the association between a marquee being erected on the lawn and fine cuisine being served. ‘Does anyone know where Troy is?’ the children would ask. ‘Oh no, is there a wedding on?’……’He must be down in the marquee!’. It would seem that when you are scavaging in a marquee this overrides all senses. You become completely deaf to any calling or summons; such is the intensity of your search. On one extremely memorable occasion he also found it necessary to lift his leg and wee in the marquee. Kate’s punishment for him was to shut him in the office, often with a sign on the door – ‘Do not let Troy out. He has been for a swim in the rock garden pond and has shaken filthy water all over the bridesmaids’ dresses - and he isn’t even sorry!’
Fame never went to his head. After countless social media appearances, visitors began to recognise him and know his name. ‘Spotting Troy’ (as well as the Yeti) became a thing. Activities were based around him, and winners were presented with ‘I love Troy’ stickers. Visiting school children loved Troy accompanying them around the gardens, always stealing the show and distracting them from their learning. He loved to wave goodbye to their coach (and then sniff around for any left-over packed lunches!) He started receiving fan mail and thank you letters. Sadly, his behaviour still didn’t improve. He was a high-profile competitor at the annual ‘Riverhill Dog Show’. Our four children argued about who was to take him in which class. They were so disappointed that his gluttony meant that he was one of the first ‘out’ in the ‘Sausage Obedience Class’ and, despite days of intensive training, he often just ‘forgot’ in ‘Best Trick’! He did, however, do better in the Fancy Dress Class. Memorable costumes were ‘Cruella’s Dalmation’ (presumably white spots on black!), ‘Kim Dog Un’ and ‘JK Growling’
Given his fabulous temperament and illustrious pedigree, It is sad that we couldn’t breed from Troy. As a young adolescent, Troy certainly gave it his best shot! At the slightest whiff of a bitch in season, he would vanish in hot pursuit. This was infuriating and dangerous and so he had to be booked in for the snip and suffer the embarrassment of greeting visitors with a cone on his head.
Troy retired from his ‘work’ at Riverhill in 2023. Shortly afterwards, a huge lump appeared on his neck, restricting his movement. We were told initially that there was nothing that could be done but thankfully he was then referred to Noel FitzPatrick’s ‘Super Vet’ practice in Guildford. We expected the worse, but it turned out that it was just a fatty deposit which could be removed. After a big operation, Troy returned to full health and went on to enjoy his retirement. He loved his new role as my painting companion, especially as it meant that he spent more time in his beloved Cornwall.
Troy managed to ignore the loud shouts and whistles of death for a further few years and enjoyed pottering up to Jane’s house for treats or stealing horse food at the stables. When his time came, he was characteristically generous, giving us all ample time to say our goodbyes.
May you rest in peace Troy – hopefully surrounded by your favourite foods and knowing that you made a lot of people very happy and that you will never be forgotten.