Beloved Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don has once again touched the hearts of his fans with a deeply emotional tribute to his late Golden Retriever, Nell.
The renowned BBC star, known for his love of gardening and the special bond he shared with his canine companions, took to social media to share a heartfelt post that resonated with his followers. As always, his fans were quick to offer their unwavering support and understanding in response to his poignant message.
Despite two years having passed since Nell’s heartbreaking death, Monty continues to honour her memory and express the deep sense of loss he feels.
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His enduring love for his cherished companion is evident in the way he remembers and pays tribute to her through nature. Recently, he shared a deeply moving image on Instagram that captured the quiet beauty of Nell’s final resting place.
The photo depicted a gentle, serene scene of primroses blooming around Nell’s grave, their delicate yellow petals standing out against a soft bed of lush green moss.
A well-worn tennis ball—an unmistakable symbol of Nell’s playful and joyful spirit—rested nearby, a small but touching reminder of the many happy moments they shared together. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over the resting place, as if nature itself was honouring her memory.
Accompanying the tender image, Monty captioned the post with simple yet deeply evocative words: “Primroses coming into flower around Nell’s grave.”
Monty Don’s heartfelt tribute to Nell struck a deep chord with fellow pet lovers, sparking an outpouring of support, empathy, and shared memories in the comments. Many followers reflected on their own experiences of loss and the enduring presence of their beloved pets in their lives.
One Instagram user expressed their admiration for Nell and the touching tribute, commenting, “
As beautiful as Nell herself, in all our thoughts forever.” Another follower found solace in the shared experience of memorializing pets through nature, writing, “I have three cat graves around my gardens, and I always feel happy and sad when the plants I’ve grown around them come back.”
For many, Nell’s memory remains vivid, with one fan reminiscing about a cherished moment from Gardeners’ World: “I just watched the episode where she brought you your spade. What a beautiful girl.”
Others shared their own ways of honoring their pets, with one commenter revealing, “
Sweet Nell. We have orange crocus and tulips around the grave of our wild cat ‘Dinger.’ Gardens represent so many stages of life.” Another user was particularly touched by Monty’s tribute, noting,
“I love the stone tennis ball! Lovely Nell.”
The sentiment of eternal remembrance echoed throughout the responses, with one individual adding, “My two dogs are in a special spot in our garden. They’ll never be forgotten, same as Nigel and Nell.”
Monty, known for his deep love and connection with his canine companions, has spoken openly about his grief in the past. Last year, while marking his Golden Retriever Ned’s second birthday, he reflected on his continued sorrow over the loss of Nell and his previous dog, Nigel, underscoring the profound impact they had on his life.
Monty Don, the beloved Gardeners’ World host, has always been deeply connected to his canine companions, considering them an integral part of his life and work. Reflecting on this bond, he once shared,
“I have lived with dogs all my life, and so it is absolutely natural to me that wherever I am in the garden, I should be accompanied by a dog or two.”
However, in October 2023, Monty delivered heartbreaking news to his fans, revealing the passing of his beloved Golden Retriever, Nell, due to cancer.
Sharing the difficult details, he wrote, “She was diagnosed with cancer in June, and every day this summer has been a gift—but it is over now. We buried her in the garden next to Nigel, wrapped in one of my jackets, with flowers, balls, and her favourite biscuits.”
Despite the sadness of her passing, Monty found some solace in knowing that her final moments were gentle and free of unnecessary pain.
“Her end was peaceful and dignified and ended obvious suffering, but it never gets any easier to bear. So life goes on, but for the moment, we are very, very sad,”
he admitted.
His words resonated with many who have experienced the profound loss of a beloved pet, reminding his followers of the deep and lasting bonds we share with our animal companions.