Sadly I had to make the heartbreaking decision to send Ty to the Rainbow Bridge. I knew he would not live to be an elderly dog, as spinal spondylosis would eventually affect his quality of life. However, I had hoped we would perhaps have had two or three years together. The diagnosis of a tumour changed everything. He had not been ill long and it was all very sudden. An ultrasound and tests confirmed the worst.

Ty was a dog with issues. He took a long time to trust people and didn't really like the company of other dogs. Ty was also a sensitive, loving and complex dog. An intelligent boy who loved his Nina Ottoson toys. However, it didn't take him long to work them out. I had bought them originally to keep him occupied for a while but he figured them out in minutes. Watching television from his comfy sofa was also another favourite pastime of his. However, his very favourite thing was getting cuddles on my bed and was in heaven lying beside me. There's too much room in my bed now. I live alone so Ty got all my love and attention to himself. Just the way he liked it. Like the dark birthmark on his tongue, Ty was unique, a one-off. I learned many things from Tyro but the main thing was this. It doesn't matter whether you have a dog for thirteen years or one year. The love you feel for them is just as strong and the pain on losing them just as intense. Love your dogs, for they are only lent to us for a short while, sometimes a very short while.

Thank you Gillian, for entrusting the welfare of this special boy to me. I think you knew he would be safe in my care. Strangely, when Gillian came to visit Ty in his new home he gave her a very warm welcome, something very out of character for him. I believe dogs know a lot more than we think. Goodnight my sweet "Tankie Boy" and try to be nice to Max and Mac.

Very sadly missed by his mum (Jan) and his special aunties, Janette, Marie and Maureen.

Many thanks to my vet Sarah and John at Elysian Fields Pet Crematorium.