A four-legged friend who changed her life
For Susan Malcomson, life in her final years became smaller — shaped by illness, loss of independence, and long days spent indoors. But then, by compete ‘Chance’, a four-legged friend walked in and everything changed.
Susan, who was first supported by Caremark Redcar and Cleveland after becoming seriously unwell during lockdown in 2020, was introduced to our CareBark animal therapy service a few years ago while living at supported accommodation in Marske. It was there that she met Chance, one of our therapy dogs who would quickly become far more than a visitor.
According to Susan’s daughter, Heather Malcomson, Chance was not just a comfort. He was her mum’s joy.
“She absolutely just adored Chance, he was literally her whole world,” says Heather.
“It was Chance this, Chance that — he was her Chancey boy.”
When Chance came into her life
Before Chance came into her life, Susan rarely left her flat. Her health made everyday activities difficult, and her world had gradually closed in around her. But week after week, Chance came to see her — and with him came something Susan had been missing – a reason to smile, to talk, to go outside and enjoy the final years of her life.
With Chance walking patiently beside her wheelchair, Susan began venturing out again. She would throw a ball for him, watch him run and talk about him endlessly to anyone who would listen.
“It was only when Chance came into her life that the care team were able to coax her out of the flat,” Heather explains.
“He gave her something to look forward to.”
A connection unlike anything seen before
The connection between Susan and Chance was unlike anything we have seen since we launched CareBark.
In a moment that felt almost impossibly symbolic, Susan passed away on 31 January this year — the same day as Chance’s fourth birthday.
The day before she died, Chance was taken to the hospital to see her. Photographs show him resting his head gently on her bed, nuzzling her face — moments that her family say perfectly capture the love they shared.
When the time came to say goodbye, Heather knew exactly what her mum would have wanted.
“I said, would it be OK for Chance to have one last dance with Mum and walk her down the aisle,” says Heather said.
“I thought it would be such a lovely final act.”
A powerful reminder that care is not just about practical support
At the funeral, Chance led Susan’s coffin into the crematorium — calm, steady, and loyal to the very end. For those who loved Susan, it was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
“It’s fitting that she spent the last few years of her life with a dog she obviously loved,” Heather says.
“He was her boy. She had such a connection with him.”
Honouring that bond has not ended with Susan’s passing. Following her death, Susan’s family raised £100 in donations, which has been put toward the purchase of a new CareBark therapy dog. In Susan’s memory, the dog has been named Star, with her Kennel Club name registered as Suzie’s Star.
Heather adds: “It’s such an honour knowing Mum’s name will carry on through the CareBark service, that means the world to us.”
Susan’s story is a powerful reminder that care is not just about practical support — it is about connection, dignity and moments of love that stay with families forever.
Through Chance, Susan found comfort, companionship and joy. And through our CareBark service, her legacy lives on — pawprint by pawprint!
About Caremark Redcar and Cleveland
Our dog therapy service is making a huge difference to people across our area. Please call us on 01287 634706 to find our more about this or any of our home care services.