Christmas is a word that everyone loves, but there was a time in my life, that to me, quite frankly, it was just a dirty word. I was born in October, and the first weeks of my life, spent with my mother and siblings were a hazy memory of warmth and contentment.

I got used to hearing my owners say I was beautiful, and so I was quite proud when one day, a man, who was very handsome, chose me as a Christmas present for his wife. Although I felt nervous about leaving my family, by the time he came to pick me up, I couldn’t help feeling excited about what life might hold in store for me.

He took me in something called a car, which was fast, and I curled nervously in the box he had put me in on the back seat. When we arrived at our destination, I was whipped quickly into a very warm place, and put in a room which was called a kitchen. The floor was covered in newspaper, which had been put there for me. Even at such a young age, I knew, but I would show them. When they let me go outside, I would do all my business out there.

He brought a lovely lady into the room, she smelt gorgeous, and she picked me up and hugged me, and I heard her say. ” This is the perfect Christmas present darling, thank you so much!”

I knew instantly, that I belonged to her, beautiful and sensitive Clare, and I loved her devotedly from then onwards. She fed me, walked me, and played fun games with me. I would give my life for her, because she was the very centre of my existence.

It didn’t take me long to realise that Ben, my master, didn’t really like dogs. Although he had brought me home, I heard him complaining about my black hairs on his clothes, and when I got through the fence and got out, he complained when he had to mend it. I clung onto Clare all the more, she loved me, and I adored her.

After a while, it wasn’t just me that he was moaning about, it was life in general, and then the arguments started. His words were harsh and cruel, and it broke my heart to see Clare with tears in her eyes so often. I became even more protective towards her, and Ben took his anger out on me. Life was becoming a nightmare!