Sadly Gemma died on Christmas Saturday.

She had been failing for a while but managed to get up to greet Adam and Loki when they arrived on Christmas Morning. She then went back to bed and stayed there.

On Saturday we took her to the vet who told us what we really knew - that she was saying that she'd had enough! So the forms were signed and the injection given; she gave a little sigh and fell asleep.

Safe journey Gem - may you have found soft sands to run on, sparkling waves to splash in and may your eyes be again as bright and far-seeing as they used to be.

Goodbye little dog.