So soon ?

Wilf is the perfect dog. In the nine and a half years he's been part of the family he's never growled or snarled at us once. Until yesterday. 'The font' took him down to the vets for another check-up. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was pain but for the briefest of moments he lost it. Something must be hurting him - a lot.

Strange symptoms. His breathing has become shallow and rapid. When he lies on his side he is racked with coughing. He's finding it more and more difficult to walk without tiring himself out. He skipped lunch but was ravenous at dinner. His bark has changed from a resonating basso profundo into a high pitched puppy yelp.

A new vet. Five attempts to find a vein. Mental note to make sure that we see 'our man' in future. Some signs of liver and pancreatic problems. The tumour specialist in Toulouse has brought forward the examination to today.

Awake in the small hours listening to his laboured breathing. Good Calvinists say there are no dogs in heaven. They're missing the point. The truth is heaven has already come bounding up to us,muddy pawed, wet nosed, tail wagging, in the selfless, trusting, uncomplicated love of this family fellow.

Can this really be happening again so soon ?