A life without my dogs seems imponderable. Yet we do keep going after losing the animals we adore

‘The black-and-white pup Olive (who, like most of her stunning litter, looks like an extra from Muster Dogs) was too gorgeous to resist. Ronda graduated to old dog.’ Photograph: Paul Daley

One of my dogs, Olive, turned five years old this week and, while every minute for her holds unfettered joy, love and promise, the birthday was burnished with a little melancholy for me.

Five!