I have just received news of a very distressing nature. My dog, Ebony, pictured above, is to be put down in the next few days. She has been a faithful and much-loved pet (and friend) of my family for over twelve years. She is going deaf and blind, she has arthritis, and she has a tumor of some sort on her side. I will miss her very much, even though I haven't lived with her for a few years now. It must be harder for my parents, who are still used to her being there in the house every day. But it is better for her to be put down than to continue living in pain and confusion. Apparently she spent most of today lying still and whining. That's no kind of life for a dog, or for anybody. She has had a good life; she's been as much a part of our family as I am. She has her personality, her quirks, as do we all, and we all love her. I've already bought her a Christmas present... perhaps I could lay it on her grave? I'm sure she'd appreciate it more than flowers, since it's edible and she is a Labrador after all. So anyway... this is my farewell to a creature who has sometimes seemed more human than humans. Goodbye, Ebony, may you go to Doggy Heaven and eat all the compost your heart desires.