Tributes to woman who fed dogs at park daily

The daughter of an 83-year-old woman who left water out for dogs at her local park said she never realised how much she had meant to hundreds of people.

Madeline Caple, from South Gloucestershire, was "housebound" due to poor health and passed away at the end of 2025. She used to sit at the end of her garden every day and leave water and treats for dogs walking near her fence and speak to their owners.

Madeline had lived opposite the King George V Playing Field in north east Bristol since the 1960s and became a beloved, community figure within the area.

Her daughter Louise Fenner said she brought a level of kindness "that isn't around today".

She added: "Even when she was poorly in bed, she would make sure that she could get downstairs.

"It took her ages to get downstairs to make sure those bottles of water were hung over the fence for the dogs."

Madeline left treats out for the dogs for over a decade, and began doing this after her husband died.

"It helped her through such a difficult period, it was her company," her daughter said, adding that her mother believed that "giving was another way to receive".

Madeline suffered from breathing problems and on some days would struggle to get out of bed.

On those days her only solution was to call her daughter and son, to fill up the bottles and bowls of water left out over the fence.

Her son, Martyn Caple, said she will be sorely missed by the people that live on her street and at the park, "there's a big hole at the moment".

He added: "We will carry it on until the house is sold."

When Madeline died her children left a note at the end of her garden and on social media to inform people.

They said after the note went up, hundreds of people told the family about the difference Madeline had made to the community.

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