Growing up in the sixties, our family had four dogs. A collie, a cross breed mongrel and the two Alsatians.

On marriage my parents allowed us to take Linda, our small cross breed heinz fifty-seven.

She grew up to be an incredibly wise dog with a gentle temperament that did not take kindly to the stresses that sometimes occurs when couples first get married. So, if she sensed an atmosphere between us, she would hide behind the settee, only venturing out when she could hear us being loving towards one another again.

Then up, she would jump onto her favourite part of the settee, which was coincidentally under my husband’s arm, so she could be stoked petted and be told her how lovely she was.

Linda was a very social kind of pet, who seemed to be beloved by male dogs for miles around. I say that, as she was forever giving us puppies till in the end a quick trip to the vet curtailed her ‘popularity.’

I know only too well that the love we bestow on our pets, will devastate us when they pass through old age. Sadly, my husband and I were not that fortunate.

Linda caught distemper. So, I can never forget how strong he had to be, cradling our trusting brown eyed dog, knowing that the needle being injected into her body whilst ending her suffering would ultimately take her life. No way could I ever put myself through all that again.

Dogs can be a child’s, a man, ladies, or pensioners best friend. Your dog will love you unconditionally. It asks for nothing other than food, water, and somewhere to sleep. Should you unwittingly leave your bedroom door open it will undoubtedly sleep on your bed till it hears the key turn in the door, where upon it will rush to greet you with possibly more love than you have felt in your entire working day.

No one would ever say their dog is their ‘child’ But all will concede that their part of the family. Dogs give structure to our lives as they need exercising. I encounter hundreds of owners with theirs in the mornings. Beauty like love is in the eye of the beholder.

For me, there was no pet more beautiful or loving than my Linda. Memories of her linger to this day.