A couple have been left utterly devastated after their beloved puppy dropped down dead while out on a walk.
Cocker Spaniel Roo, one, tragically died while out on a walk with his owners, Jordan Shearman and Hannah May Washington, after consuming a substance commonly found around parks and lakes up and down the UK - Blue-green algae.
The algae is often found in freshwater lakes, ponds, canals, reservoirs and rivers, North Wales Live reports.
The bacteria produces toxic chemicals which can be harmful to both humans and animals, according to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH).
Roo's heartbroken owner Hannah said that she had walked her pooch around the lake as part of his daily walk on April 30. Little did they know that it would be their final moments together.
She said: "We have taken Roo to the lakes many times before, but not so much recently, and did notice that a lot of the areas he would usually swim, was incredibly dirty, much more so than normal, so we didn't spend so much time swimming in those areas, however he did jump in briefly for a lot of them."
Anton Lakes is a popular dog-walking spot situated just north of Andover and has both a river and lake within its nature reserve. The walk seemed to be going completely fine until the young couple noticed that Roo's eyes became a little droopy.
Regarding blue-green algae, UKCEH says: "They are particularly a health risk during warm summer months when their concentrations increase in the water to form blooms and scums on the surface.
"This can look like green or turquoise wispy paint, green scum or clumps of green particles."
The couple said: "We figured he had gotten too much water in his eyes so we decided to end the walk and return to the car."
On the way home, Hannah says they knew straight away something was wrong.
Roo was extremely agitated, and struggling to stand up so they rushed him to Strathmore Veterinary Clinic.
"While in my arms, Roo began to have fits, struggling to breathe, foaming at the mouth. It was the worst experience of my life having to hold him, speaking to him, telling him mummy and daddy loved him," she said.
In the 15 minutes the journey to the vets took, Roo had become pale, and was not breathing on his own. His heart stopped beating and he unfortunately passed away at around 7pm.
Hannah said: "Our worst nightmare had officially happened, our precious, young, baby Roo had lost his life, so suddenly.
"Me and my partner are only 23 and 24, and we have just celebrated a year in our first home together, and a year with what can only be described as our first child in Roo.
"He was everything in our lives, quite literally. Our lives, our habits, our plans revolved around our lovely pup, and so I can't even begin to describe the pain we are in."
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