For nine years Bill and I were lucky enough to have a very special friend who was a big part of our lives. His formal name was Hyclass Kenrick of Shenstone but to us he was always Semper. He was semper fidelis and sometimes semper in excretia but we loved him dearly and miss him greatly. He was our companion, our protector and friend.

He was supposed to be an anniversary present for Bill, but he became my shadow, following me from room to room and he slept just outside my door at night. He was happiest when the two of were in the same room so he could keep an eye on both of us. The ideal situation to him was when we were in the living room watching television, as he could lie at the top of the stairs and watch us and the TV at the same time. He loved anything with dogs and other animals in it. 'The Bear' was one of his very favourite movies.

He was the most intelligent dog I ever knew. No one - not even best friends, could ever just walk into our house. Until we gave the word - he kept them out. Then the tail would be going a mile a minute while he told then that he really was glad to see them but "it was his job to keep them out until the boss said okay".

He was my shadow until Bill became ill. Semper knew things were not as they should be and from the minute Bill came home from hospital, Semper made it his job to be with "Dad" every minute until he was completely recovered. As soon as Bill was himself again, Semper was once again my shadow.

Bill and I use Semper as our name for e-mail now that we have a computer, as a tribute to him. He was an exceptional dog, there will never be another like him.