[redwitch]

My Old English was truly awesome. He was my best friend, pillow, blanket, cuddle toy, confidant. Sleeper was never on a lead -- totally hand/voice trained. When I went shopping, he would sit in front of the store and wait for me to get done. He would never move from his spot.

I don't know how, but he always knew when I had a migraine even before I opened the door -- no happy jumps, no noise. He would simply lie on the floor beside me and never make a sound.

The funniest thing he ever did was when my boy friend and I would argue, he would herd us together until we were face to face. Kind of hard to be mad when you were literally nose to nose with a dog sitting there and looking quite pleased with himself.

He never nagged for food or being let out. At the most, he would let out a very little whine to remind you he needed you.

He did have one bad trait -- he could pass very smelly gas on cue (he didn't digest cheese too well even though he adored eating it). It was one of those things men think is really cute. And, no, I didn't teach him to do that -- my ex did.

I had to put Sleeper down when he was 13 because of bone spurs. He's been gone for 22 years and I still miss him.