Warren talks openly about nearing the end of his life, but he is quite vibrant, upbeat, focused on what he needs to do to stay independent. I am always struck at the impact a dog has on a person near the edge of life. In my work with Izzy, I saw person after person light up, open up, cheer up at the sight of dog. There has to be something primal, something ancient in our need for these creatures and in their ability to comfort us, even when we are dying.

I saw this with Red Sunday when we went to visit Warren Caldwell whose wife Helen Izzy and I visited before she died. Red has a gift for these work, and I wonder at why I have been chosen for this – to have two dogs who take to this in this way is just not probably, it is a miracle. It is meant to be. It is clearly something I need to do.

Karen Thompson saw it in Red and I, that is why she gave him to me. I can do a lot of good with Red, and I will.