Best dog I ever had was a collie spaniel cross we got as a pup from the RSPCA. When she was 16 the family arrived home to find she was stricken with a stroke and tried to get hold of me. I was working late in Aberdeen so when I picked up the 20 odd messages it was too late and the vet had had to put her to sleep. Huge regret and, needless to say, I have been with our other dogs at the end of their lives however difficult that is.

We share your loss Swale.