My first adult/family pet was a wonderful female german shepherd called Ellay. She was kind, loving, funny, always there first for a cuddle and my constant companion for 11½ brilliant years. Ellay, my beautiful girl died suddenly with no warning or no illness. I was in disbelief.
Ellay was a well travelled dog, wanting to come with me wherever I was going. Jumping into the car even if it was just nipping to the shops, away for a holiday in the campervan, a walk in the local forests, up the hills or on some of our beautiful beaches - she was there front and centre. She'd been to most of Scotland, around Ireland and even ventured into England and Wales.
Over the coming days and weeks, myself and my family kept thinking we were hearing her around the house. Foot steps upstairs, the tapping on the door when she needed out. We were convinced she was still with us and not quite ready to leave!
So here we are 5 years down the road, still missing her, still hearing noises and the new dogs reacting to what.....? Ellay may be gone, but she will never be forgotten. She will always be loved unconditionally and the hole in my heart has still not repaired.
As I move through life, believing that her spirit is still very much with me, keeping me company wherever and whatever I'm doing, I honour her by using her name Ellay, my best friend.