Hooch and Splash tricksWhen I was little all I wanted was a dog but we couldn't afford one, I pleaded that it could be my birthday and christmas present for every year in one go, but I had to content myself with other peoples dogs, I was the kid who ran away from the swings to see the woofers. On a school trip to a farm, instead of playing I sat in a barn with some puppies for most of the day.

When I was 12 my neighbour bought a Jack Russell, who was nicknamed Jaws, as he liked to nibble feet and fingers, I got to dog sit loads, as his wife found it to much as she had two young children, they kindly gave him to me one day. A little girl could not have had a better friend, a waggy tail always met me from school, andwe trained for my cross country running together, and then cuddled up with a book.

Sadly Lloyd lost his battle with Cancer aged 15 and I was so sad, I thought I could not have another dog, I could not replace my friend.

I did go with my Step - Dad though to the Blue Cross rescue centre, as he was retired after a heart attack and wanted a dog so he could get some excercise walking. At the centre a lab collie x put his paw through the bars, and took our hands gently in his mouth and pulled at us, we were smitten.

We had to visit and walk him while all the checks were done, and returning him to his kennel was heart breaking as every time he pulled away, it was a lovely centre, but he wanted a home, and Ii think felt rejected. At last the day came to take him home, he leaped in the car, and off we went.

Hooch comes everywhere we can take him, and just loves to be with us, he's so well behaved and just completely adoreable, I think Lloyd would be happy his girl all grown up now has a friend and that a fellow dog is rescued.