Our schnauzer will always be waiting to greet my father on the tennis court again

A schnauzer at home. ‘Laska was a great nurse throughout my father’s illness, but especially in the last week of his life as he became bedbound. She sat the whole time cosied up against the bed’s base.’ Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian

Schnauzers are not like golden retrievers – they do not court the attention of strangers.

Our schnauzer saves her enthusiasm exclusively for family members. When Laska greets us, she will almost faint from the exertion. Her love finds a physical manifestation as she squeals and bounds and wags her tail frantically.