Note To Diary

My beautiful baby Lady, gone but never forgotten. She began her life with us the day she was thrown out of that car, abandoned in my front garden. A pitiful little black pup with a white chest and clubbed foot. I was so shocked to witness her arrival and ran to the road to watch that car drive away. I stood as you slowly crept over to my feet where you lay wagging that feisty little tail of yours and my heart melted.

'Don't send the puppy to the pound mummy, she can live here with Bruno and Bouncer' my little boy cried. Craig was only 12 years old and knew nothing of the commitment required to adopt another dog, after all Bouncer had been a rescue case too. First things first, the little pup was hungry and very thirsty so a bowl of food and water was left in the back garden for her. Bruno and Bouncer knew a stranger was in the midst and were anxious to be introduced. Having thought this not a good idea, especially as the little pup had been so stressed, she wouldn't cope with Bruno's 81/2 stone jumping on her or Bouncer getting over excited at the sight of a bitch. I made a decision to leave her in the garden until the toy boy taxi driver came home. I don't know what I was thinking of, but I knew one thing for sure, Gordon would not be impressed at the thought of another mouth to feed.

Gordon gave in to Craig's pleas and Lady became part of the family. Bouncer loved her, Bruno protected her and was very gentle, I think he understood how vulnerable she was, and I spent endless hours trying ti gain her trust. We took Lady to the vet for a check up and injections. 'This is a lurcher pup about 5 months old' the vet said 'my guess is that the previous family wanted her for lamping or hunting rabbits but she wont have the speed with that clubbed foot'.

Lady became a very important part of our family. She was a tough little cookie, never ill, never caused much trouble, apart from the time she ate the gear stick in my car, or the time she got in the field with the horses to herd them to the gate.

Her coat was a beautiful ebony black, just like silk. She was nothing to look at but she made up for that in personality. Such a loving little dog, very playful and always pleased to see us. Lady never played ball, but she did chase Bouncers leg when he played ball, she would jump on Bruno when he was sleeping until she was ready for bed and then you could see her entwined around his legs.

She would nip me if Gordon shouted at her, not a bite, she was just confused and miffed at being told off, it was her way of answering back. She would run over to the sofa bouncing off the back of it if I was reading and not paying her attention, but most of all Lady was the sweetest friend anyone could have.

The years went on and Lady grew grey around her muzzle, which I thought made her look like a mole. She was still playful and loved nothing more than to run through the tall grass in the field. Occasionally you would see this little black figure jump in the air to get her bearings. She still was never ill, unlike Bruno who now suffered epileptic fits.

One terrible morning Lady was poorly, she had also gone blind and I was in a state to know what to do. She was taken to the vet who told me she had been poisoned. The most likely cause was antifreeze.Try has he may for the next three days he said I could take her home, He didn't know if she would pull through or not, her kidneys were failing. How my Lady suffered and I couldn't bear to watch her in so much pain. I took her back to the vet the following day to have her put to sleep. Craig now aged 21 went with me, Gordon couldn't face it, Lady had become his favourite. I will never forget that feeling of loss, and the questions I asked of myself. How dare I play God and make a decision to take this dogs life but was I in fact correct to have her life taken. Craig cried and held on to me whilst I held on to Lady. I owed her so much for the friendship and laughter she had given me. I love you my beautiful baby Lady I whispered in her ear as her heart slowly stopped and she took her last breath.

You are on my dresser in the living room Lady and I will never forget you, I had you cremated and you will be with me forever. My heart is alive with memories of you, your food bowl has pride of place in the cupboard. I kept your collar, it is on the headboard above my head and Bouncer has adopted your lead, it is the one he picks when we go for walks. Rest in peace my baby Lady, I will meet you again on the other side, God willing.