My beautiful Claire came to me in August 2003 just in time for Freddie's birthday. She came as a foster but within 24 hours I knew I was going to keep her. Throughout her life with me she acted more as 3 year old lurcher than a greyhound of advancing years and was a very active and loving girlie.

Claire was a Character and a Presence. You always knew she was there and she would bat you with her nose or paw if she felt ignored. She reigned supreme over the pack but never felt the need to bully them. She was a great favourite with children who loved her gentle nature and the fact that she wouldn't surprise them with kisses.

Claire has left a big whole in my heart and I will miss her til my dying day. The house is very empty without her and she cannot be replaced. The end came quickly and I hope that she is running freely again.

more Claire photos

Arthur, a saluki lurcher, came to us in October 2004 from his two dads, who in turn adopted him from rescue. He had been the victim of much cruelty in his young life before his dads got him at the tender age of 5 months! They loved him dearly and sorted out many of his behaviour problems, but there were still some things that they just couldn't cope with.

When Arthur arrived, he still suffered separation anxiety and fear and food aggression. The separation anxiety was quickly dealt with and he thrived in a home with 4 other dogs for company and a large garden to run off some of that energy. Sadly, his aggression never really went away.

Despite his problems, Arthur was a very loving boy who adored being at the heart of this family. He was particular friends with Albie and the two were often dubbed "The Terrible Twins"!! He had a knack of getting under your skin so that even my dad considered him a favourite. He will be and is sorely missed by us all.

Max was pure alley cat and all heart. He was never happier than when purring away softly on your lap or having his ears rubbed. He was the most outgoing, sociable cat I have ever had, a legend in his own lifetime!

In the spring of 2005 I noticed that Max was yellow around the eyes and that he'd lost a lot of weight. I took him to the vet who diagnosed a probable kidney infection. Sadly, Max didn't respond to antibiotics and the decision was made to let him go. He was still less than 4 years old.

Polly came from Battersea as a pup where she had been gifted to the rescue. Her mum was a "proper" Staffordshire Bull Terrier; father unknown although we always suspected there was labrador in her somewhere. She was 8 weeks old when we got her and so cute! (More pictures to follow.) She was a typical Staff in many ways in that as a pup she was quite hyper and took a lot of wearing out! As she grew older, she began to dislike dogs she didn't know and we had to watch her out on walks. Fortunately, she was easily distracted by a football or a log - no ordinary sticks for our Polly! She was fine with dogs she had been properly introduced to so we were always able to welcome visiting dogs to the house.

Polly loved water and if she found it she was invariably in it! It was a very cold winter's day indeed if she didn't wallow in a mud pool or puddle and she often came home black!  She was one of the most affectionate dogs I have ever known and was so intelligent she was nearly human! You could hold long conversations with her and she always understood every word! She was a favourite amongst the family and was infamous with our friends. She went with me everywhere and I could not have wished for a better companion. Polly was a one-off who could never be repeated. She died at the ripe old age of 15 years and 2 months having served us faithfully until the end. I miss her still.

A few months after his arrival, I noticed that he had started wheezing. He was diagnosed with asthma, and went on steroids which, combined with a healthy appetite, caused him to double his body weight! Charley was only with me a year before I knew the time had come to let him go. He was one very special cat and I shall never forget him.