Today we celebrate the life of Dory, a little Dachshund.

Eighteen years is a long life for a dog, especially in the tropics where the cycle of life and death seems to spin faster than elsewhere. Over that time, they become woven into the fabric of the family, and whilst we always know that we will almost certainly outlive them, we don't dwell on it.

As the signs of age set in, you begin to brace yourself for a time when they will be gone. Then comes the awful moment when they pass and you try and make it as painless and dignified for them as possible. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don't. Dory enjoyed a lovely sunny last day, a little afternoon flirt with Shida, and was surrounded by family at the end.

Amongst the multitude of animals that have passed through our gates, this one was special. Like the Queen of England overseeing the coming and going of Prime Ministers, Dory witnessed dozens of rescues, rehabilitations, re-homings and fosterings. She always had an eye for the big, handsome brutes, and counted two or three of them as her special favourites. She outlived them all.

Many of you will have met her up on the Hill, and we feel you would want to wish her well.