He'll be here in spirit - watch as community erects memorial plaque on Buddy the Roundabout Dog's favourite chillout tree

The heartfelt words of Buddy the Roundabout Dog owner Jonathan Frost after the community came together to create a memorial plaque for the much loved German Shepherd who sadly passed away last month at the age of 14.

His passing sparked a mass outpouring of grief and affection on social media from Shiney Row residents and motorists who became used to seeing Buddy and Jonathan chilling out or playing with his ball on the village’s roundabout.

He became so synonymous with commuters that he became known as Buddy the Roundabout Dog.

Jonathan, 58, who works for Sunderland City Council, said: “The roundabout was Buddy’s favourite chill out place. He used to love coming up here and would often just sit on the bank and watch the world go by.

“He would love chasing his ball here, although he never brought it back. I would always have to go over and get it off him and throw it back the other way.”

As well as becoming a local celebrity with passing motorists, Buddy was popular with the village’s residents and shoppers.

Jonathan, who lives in Shiney Row, added: “He would recognise people, particularly those who used to bring him treats. He was a gentle giant - placid and soft. He would walk up to anyone for a stroke - he loved the attention.

“Although was a was a useless guard dog - he would go off with anyone.”

Local resident Denise Welch would often bump into Buddy and Jonathan when she was out walking her own dog. She was so moved by Buddy’s passing that, along with other residents, Denise decided to get memorial plaque made in his honour.

The plaque includes an engraved picture of the German Shepherd along with the name Buddy the Roundabout Dog. The plaque also includes the message ‘In loving memory of Buddy the Roundabout Dog, forever in our hearts’.

Denise said: “My dog is a little Shih Tzu but he loved Buddy as did everyone in Shiney Row and Houghton. He was known as Buddy the Roundabout Dog and was just such a friendly dog that we wanted to do something to remember him by.”

Yesterday (September 30) Denise and Jonathan joined other members of the community to place the plaque on Buddy’s favourite chill out tree on the roundabout.

They also placed flowers and a photograph of Buddy.

Jonathan said: “It’s amazing that the community decided to do this. At the end of the day he was just my dog and we were just going about our business, coming to the roundabout to chill out and for Buddy to play with his ball.

“People say he’s a big miss and they are sad not to see him on the roundabout anymore. Even though he is not here, he will be here in spirit.”