I hate this and feel really weird about it...
A friend made a Go Fund Me to help in the aftermath of Claire's death and a lot of people have been asking how they can give practical help. I've been reluctant to share this, I feel weird about it.
Claire had muscular dystrophy which weakened her muscles. Before I had even met Claire she needed a high level of support to help her manage all the day to day tasks we take for granted.
When we moved in together 18 years ago I became Claire's primary care giver. We did think about finding extra support initially but it would have been quite an intrusion into our lives and require compromises that we didn't want to make. So for 18 years I provided most of the day to day care giving with the help of Claire's mum.
I was happy to do it as it meant I was with Claire. I'm not going to pretend it was always easy but I don't regret for a second the time it gave me with Claire.
Over 10 years ago now Claire set up her business, Wildflowers and Pixels, and at around the same time I set up Mutley's Snaps. Claire's business thrived and afforded us a a good life. I always saw Mutley's Snaps more as a project for me that was serperate to my care giving role, not necessarily as a business that could support us. Times were I have tried to move the business forward I've been hit with major set backs that have knocked my business and confidence - COVID for example where we had to retreat from society for several years to protect Claire. In recent years Claire has needed more support, meaning the times I could leave her alone were reduced to an hour, maybe two at push.
Our unspoken deal was always I provided Claire with the support that she needed to live and she took care of us financially.
We couldn't have life insurance or mortgage protection for Claire, they would never had paid out due to her muscular dystrophy. The car went away a few weeks ago as that was linked to Claire.
Right now everything is so overwhelming. The grief at losing Claire, the loneliness, the thought of starting over again, money worries. It's all just too much and I'm trying my hardest not to let it consume me.
Continued in the comments...
Not a Retreat is back.
A week in the Scottish Highlands for professional and aspiring professional dog photographers. No curriculum, no timetable, no agenda. Just good company, the Cairngorms National Park, and a lot of dogs.
The first one in 2023 was brilliant and exhausting in equal measure. This one is slower, more relaxed, and more intentional. Same spirit. Less chaos.
- 4th — 11th September 2026
- Kingussie, Cairngorms National Park
- 8 rooms from £500 per person
Applications open now. Link in bio.
Good company. Questionable light (it's Scotland). Excellent dogs.
#NotARetreat #DogPhotography #DogPhotographer #PetPhotography #ScottishHighlands #CairngormsNationalPark
I'm a judge at the International Pet Photography Awards again this year!
Looking forward to seeing everyone's gorgeous work again.
You can enter now, head over to @internationalpetphotoawards for more info!
#dogphotography #mutleyssnaps
Not a Retreat 2026
Friday 4th Sept to Friday 11th Sept.
Kingussie, Scottish Cairngorms.
What is Not a Retreat? It's not an educational retreat.
But kind of is a retreat, for professional or aspiring professional pet photographers. It's a week long retreat where you can network and spend time with your people!
And of course there will be dog photography shoots in the Cairngorm National Park.
Ruthven Barracks(Google it) is a 5 minute drive from the house and will absolutely be a shoot location.
Don't worry you will learn stuff. It's all about sharing with the other attendees and I will be on hand for you to pick my brain.
It's self catering but I will provide things for DIY breakfasts.
There is a train station a minutes walk from the house.
Pricing is simple - £1500($2000 USD) a room. If you share a room, you share the cost. Twin room £750 each, there are also triples for £500 per head if people want to cut costs. All rooms are ensuite.
Full details coming soon.
Yesterday I found out that Claire gave:
A kidney and her pancreas to a lady in her 30s who'd been waiting for more than 4 years.
A kidney to a lady in her 50s who had been waiting for over 6 years.
Her liver went to a lady in her 20s.
Always my hero ❤️
Finding out this has broken down a wall and I've been a blubbering wreck since.
I took Ruckus up Ben A'an at the weekend. He had a great time.
Life is still pretty hard after losing Claire. Each time I'm finished dealing with something related to Claire passing or something else changes, it sinks in a little more that this is really happening.
I'm not back to work yet, I am in planning stages of moving the business forward. It always took a back seat to me being able to provide Claire's care. Now it needs to support me, Ruckus, Fen and Zepp. Which if I'm honest is a little terrifying. Claire's business always did really well and could comfortably support us all while I looked after her.
I'll get there! With a little support from all of you.
#benaan #mutleyssnaps
#scottishdogphotographer #dogsmakeglasgow #dogsofscotland
9 years ago we did a thing.
We tell anyone. It was just us and our dogs. Our photographers @thecurries.co were our witnesses.
It was the best thing we ever did.
Can't believe I don't have you with me today 💔
𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 (𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐧) 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟑 – 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
If Claire has ever touched your life, we would love for you to join us in a celebration of her life.
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦
Stirlingshire Crematorium
Falkirk Rd, Bannockburn, Stirling FK7 8AJ
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟒.𝟒𝟓𝐩𝐦
Railway Inn & The Platform Lounge
27 Glasgow Rd, Dennyloanhead, Bonnybridge FK4 1QS
We request that you do not wear black. Claire’s favourite colours were pinks, purples and dark greens.
We will only be having family flowers but we will hold a collection to be split between the nurses in the intensive care unit at Forth Valley Hospital and Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Everyone is welcome at both the Service and to come back to spend some time together and share memories of Claire.
People have asked if they can send condolences, our address is
Claire/Ewan Cheyne
4 Duncan Street
Bonnybridge
FK4 1DP
This has been the worst week of my life and it ended with me saying goodbye to Claire.
I spent the last few days holding Claire's hand writing this big thing about why I loved her so much and why I was so proud of her. About who she was and what made her so special. But I'm not ready to share that yet.
Claire was kind and good.
And I need to share this last amazing gift Claire gave, sharing this with people will give me comfort.
Claire never believed she could be an organ donor because of her muscular dystrophy. She always viewed her body as useless( I never once thought that). Well it turns out her body wasn't quite as "useless" as she thought. As I type this 4 of her organs are on their way to waiting recipients and some time in the not too distant future she will also give someone the gift of sight as well. I wish I could rub it in her face that I was right and she was wrong... Her body was far from useless in life and even at the end it was amazing.
It meant we've had to tough this out for an extra two days(she was never aware or in pain) but I got a little extra time to hold her hand. And I got another incredible reason to be proud of Claire.
People are good, people are kind.
I wouldn't have got through this last week if it wasn't for the incredible and kind NHS nurses on the intensive care unit. Claire had a nurse with her 24 hours a day, they do long long shifts and that same nurse would stay with her for the whole shift. Every last one of them was so kind to Claire, myself and Claire's family - I can't even begin to describe all the small acts of kindness and the gentle care they provided. I will always be eternally grateful to them.
And I know I'm about to be bombarded with love and care.
I just wanted to share the truly amazing last gift Claire gave today, my heart is bursting with pride in her ❤️
