Most nights, I have some degree of sleeping issues which generally dictate that I put the headphones on and listen to music for a short while, or I just get up and find something quiet to do, and the other night was really bad. In fact when Carol left for work the following morning, I decided to go back to bed and try to catch up on some sleep which I duly did.

I woke up about an hour later feeling so much better and was getting ready to get out of bed when I realized that I was not alone! Alongside me, stretched out to his full length, was Ray. His head was on my pillow (so we must have shared it for some time) and he was gently snoring. This was the dog who used to be afraid of everybody and everything. This was the dog who, not too long ago, was crying out in his sleep. I couldn’t possibly have asked for a better start to the day than what was being presented to me at that moment.

Ray does not respond very well to being disturbed from his sleep (a massive understatement!) so I slowly, and very carefully, rolled myself out of the bed. He didn’t move. When I stood up and looked back, I had to smile. Sweet dreams sleeping beauty! Love you buddy.