A heartbroken West Kilbride family have left a touching tribute in memory of their beloved dog Kaiser who sadly passed away from cancer on Wednesday.

Kaiser was part of the Long family for 13 years and to pay tribute to him owners David and Kerry and their seven-year-old son have left a bucket of balls on Seamill beach so pet owners can have fun with their dogs.

The family regularly walked Kaiser on Seamill beach with the dog always loving to play with a tennis ball.

On the bucket filled with balls a note says: “In memory of Kaiser who loved this beach. 2008-2021. Please take a ball on him x.”

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Owner David Long told the Herald: “We got Kaiser in 2008 when he was just a puppy. He has been with us all that time and been a part of the family. His favourite place was always on Seamill beach and we always took him down there.

“Two weeks ago, we found a lump in his leg and we took him to the vet and it turned out it was cancer. Then it spread to other parts and his heart rate got slow and he deteriorated to the point where he was in pain so we thought it was best to take him back to the vet and he was put to sleep.

“We put some balls down as a memorial to him so other people can play with their dogs and have fun with them while they have them as we did with Kaiser.

"The idea came after we took Kaiser down the beach for his last walk and my wife and I were talking and we thought it would be good to do something as he was always chasing and playing with balls.

"If he was in the house he would always have one and wander around with it. So we thought it would be a nice idea for other people to play with their dogs down the beach.

“We never expected Kaiser to go, it just happened so quickly. You have to enjoy every second you have with your pet as they are part of the family.”

"My wife has taken it really hard and our seven-year-old is also really upset.

"Kaiser had a good life but we are still walking about and doing things and expecting him to appear. It has not quite clicked yet that he is no longer here."

The family will be refilling the box and eventually will remove it so that there is no plastic left on the beach.

They are reminding users to take their ball home or dispose of it properly.