Until my wife and I bought two lurcher pups just over 9 years ago, I was more of a cat person than a dog person. Frodo and Pippin changed that.

Frodo died on Wednesday. In December 2012, it was found that he had cancer in his back leg, and we decided, with the vet that amputation was the best way forward. Frodo more than survived.

This is him soon after the operation.

He has taught me many things, not least he seems in a doggish way to have used his vulnerability to good effect; not least by ensuring I would do everything he ever wanted.

He was not a dog to just allow his lack of a back leg to stop him doing things.

It has been a pleasure to have shared part of the journey with him.

Now – well I think C S Lewis said something like, ‘pain now is part of the joy we had’. If he didn’t; perhaps he should have.

Rest in peace, my friend.

I hope Lewis is also right that we will meet again, otherwise what comes after would seem a little poorer than I expect.