An idea to remember

I OPENED the letter, read it slowly, smiled, then shut my eyes and tried to remember him.

When I couldn’t quite get an image of him in my head, I moved to a computer and called up his case history.

It always works. In a flash, I saw him as he had been – black, sleek and muscular.

He was one of the nicest, calmest Labradors I have had the privilege to treat. A true gentleman, and I shuddered when I recalled how the bone tumour had first caused lameness, then pain that even he was unable to bear.

I put him to sleep in his big bed in his house, surrounded by his family, whose tears flowed unashamedly.

Now, on the fourth anniversary of his death, they had written to me saying that, every year, they got together and did something positive to honour his memory.

The first year, they had gone on his regular long walk as a family, chatting and laughing about his antics.

The second year, they had each produced their favourite photograph of him.

Next, recalling how he had once got a little overweight, they had agreed they would each lose three kilogrammes, improving their waistlines and reducing their food bill.

Now, they had decided to send a donation to me, in the hope that we could use it to improve a patient’s quality of life. It was a lovely thing to do.

We were delighted to carry out their wishes, using the money to pay for anti-arthritic medication for a geriatric Labrador on behalf of his owner, when the company she worked for shut down, leaving her somewhat skint.

I am sure that, up in doggy heaven, the old guy was wagging his tail in approval.

We have National No Smoking Day, National Women’s Day etc, we should celebrate National Day Our Pet Passed Away Day.

It would be a different day for everyone but it would be the right time to remember a family friend and do something in their memory.

It might also involve members of a family making the effort to get back together and reminisce.

Because that is one of the wonderful things about pets. They live on forever.