I had gone home for summer after finishing Uni, so I took the cans to be recycled at my local RSPCA centre and came home with a dog - as you do! He loved wallowing in water and soon earnt the nickname hippo-poto-wolf! Always had a toy, favourites were cuddly ones, in his mouth, playing with Arran or Spot (our other 2 rescued woofs), or being my extremely cheeky shadow.

Although he had osteoarthritis for 3 years, managed with NSAIDs (iron guts!), hydrotherapy, gentle walks and lots of TLC, he died at home peacefully and naturally, after a short illness (just a week) in which his true age, 13 1/2 years, finally caught up with him after still acting as though he were 2 all these years. Vet was superb, treated him for his symptoms and not his age, rang daily, checked him over day before he died (bloods etc improving, just needed more R&R and TLC) and expected to see us the next afternoon for further tests. But not to be. We'd not even had a conversation about euthanasia as she still believed she could treat him. I miss him dreadfully but know I am very lucky.

I've had dogs all my life, and although he was my first GSD, he certainly won't be the last - absolute superstar. I really couldn't have wished for a better companion for nearly 12 years - I was proud to be his owner and very thankful to have had him in my life.

By Vicky