Somewhere deep down, I feel the strongest connection to Bud, as I do to Red and Fate. The connection with Bud is different. I feel when I hold him – he sometimes comes up to me and wants to be picked up – that we have come together after a long and difficult journey.

I think I am beginning to mean safety for Bud, dogs are intuitive, they are flexible about their homes, but they know them when they see them. Bud has chosen me as his human, and I am happy to have him as my dog.

Maria says we love each other very much, and I have Carol Johnson to thank for that, she saved Bud and brought us together. When I pick Bud up, he rests his head against my shoulder and I rub his stomach or chin.

He could do this all day, he practically purrs. Maria took this photo. It was wonderful sitting in the sun with Bud today.