Yesterday my Mum texted me to say that Bud had been put down. I had been expecting this moment for a few days now. I only spoke to my Mum the day before and, although I knew Bud had been ill for a while, I didn’t realise the seriousness until this week.

I went up to visit my sister and her family at the end of last month. I saw my Mum for a few hours and we shared a car for a short while back to her house. I was in a bit of a rush to get back to my Dad’s house so I didn’t even take my Mum to her front door. I wish I did. As my Mum got out of the car and I helped her find her keys in the bottom of her bag, I thought of Bud – less than ten metres away. I wanted to go in but I didn’t have the time, and I wasn’t feeling well.

When I met Bud I really wasn’t sure about him. He was a bit of a loose cannon and always wanted my attention when I was petting another dog. The next day I played with him and, then, that was that. He became my favourite dog.

He’ll be missed.