Farewell to Tosca...

...who gave up the fight this morning.

She was in a sad and sorry state over the weekend, and today a gentle young vet eased her out of her now-limited life, where old age, pain and infirmity could not be halted.

The Lovely Son came with Tosca and I, and wept; she had lived with me for more than ten years. We thought about the link to my mother and to all the street aunties in Newcastle who loved her.

We will think of her as she was when young and lively, and, most of all, of her faithful watching at the window for our return.

She was buried by The Gardener this afternoon, along with a few little flowers, including one from a shrub that originated in my mother's garden all those years ago.

She now lies at the top of my garden here, surrounded by roses and hollyhocks.

Goodbye, little old dog. We won't forget you.