Darling Darwin...gone forever

As I was posting my last, mellow Christmas post, my poor darling Darwin was dying. It is absolutely devastating, not just for myself but for the children, who are heartbroken.
He slipped out of the gate just before we had lunch, something he's taken to doing recently. Usually, he's back within half an hour. This time, after two hours, we were concerned.

Mateo, Ruy and I went out at about 4 o'clock and wandered all over the village, expecting to catch a sight of his curly white coat. But there was nothing. I came back about an hour later, thinking he'd be waiting at the gate. Waiting for the lamb bones we'd saved him from lunchtime - but no. He wasn't.

FR and I set off in the car a bit later as Ruy hadn't come home either and I was getting worried about him - and imagining all sorts. From across the fields, we saw a neighbour signalling us and so drove over. As soon as I saw his face, I knew the worst. He said he'd found Darwin in his pool - drowned. No one has any idea how it happened. Darwin wasn't the type to jump into a pool and there is no clue as to why he went in. But that's where he was found - no marks on him; nothing to indicate anything had happened.

We found Ruy, who was fine and on his way home - fine until we told him. It's hit him very hard. It's hit all of us very hard.

We have now buried our lovely, daft, hairy, lovable friend and now we will have to wait and see how we will manage with the great hole he has left in our lives.

He belonged from the minute we saw him.

He was always there

The most sweet natured dog ever.

Always within reach

We are going to miss him so, so much.