Today our last goodbyes to Chum after 11½ years. Hope he meets Peppy, Minnie and Paddles over the Rainbow Bridge. He has been the most gentle giant I have ever met. Always thoughtful and careful of the tiny dogs we have had!

Oh no, how heartbreaking. I am so sorry to hear this and can imagine how much you will all miss him, including Rosie.

How dreadful to lose such a lovely creature. My daughter lost her pet after nine years last week. My sympathy to you and all who loved him. Penny

So sorry to hear your news Ciderman. The only bad side of having a much loved pet, is living with the knowledge that one day we will lose them to the rainbow bridge

Oh! Ciderman I am so sorry to hear that news, and there is nothing any of us can do or say to help , just wish I could give you a great big hug at the moment. Dolly is now 13yrs and since Hubby left me she has been such a wonderful friend to me. Chum seems a very apt name and word to use at the moment, as he surely was just that to all of you. xxxxx

Strange reminders keep popping up! I scraped the last of the yoghurt pot out this morning onto my cereal. Rosie gets the lid to lick and Chum gets the tub! Oh no! What do we do with it? Rosie's tongue is not long enough to reach the bottom of the tub and she would get in a mess if she put her head in it. We keep seeing him out of the corner of our eye but , of course, he is not there when you look.

My daughter in Wellington was so sad at Chum's passing that she painted a picture of him, framed it and sent it to us. It now hangs on the wall .

What a beautiful and expert work of love Is your daughter a professional artist? I think this picture brings you comfort in the midst of grief, and he has such a happy face.

Wow! Ciderman, that is gorgeous such a beautiful memento for many reasons.xx

No Vannin she's not an artist by profession, she's a photographer/mum but she has never been taught art in any form but some years ago she quickly sketched with a pencil a portrait of her two kids (at the time) which amazed us as everybody who knew her children would say "Oh! That's Jack and Lily!"

Brilliant!