I took this photo first thing this morning before going out to work. I know it’s grainy (highest ISO my camera will go to) and I know it’s not 100% sharp but I like it all the same.

You see, it’s my boy. A boy so spooked by stuff that happened before I knew him that he’s often quiet and reserved. Since we’ve been home from the USA this gorgeous creature has followed me everywhere – like a shadow. I come home and he’s by my side, I go to the bathroom and he’s waiting outside the door. Right now he’s on the sofa in my office behind me keeping one eye open to make sure I can’t go anywhere without him.

Before I went away he tried in his own little way to stop me from going by blocking my way when I tried to go out with my suitcase. David tells me he waited inside the front door for me one night before David joined me and when David went to bed, he said to Arch ‘she’s not coming home tonight fella’ and Archie hung his head and mooched up the stairs behind him.

He sleeps outside the bedroom door so I can’t go out without him spotting me. All the time, not just because we’ve been away.

In the morning he ambles downstairs when I go to make the tea and toast and he lies in the kitchen doorway watching the progress. He waits till I reach the top of the stairs and then pads up behind me.

When I opened the curtains this morning, Archie leapt onto the bed and participated in his favourite hobby – watching the birds coming in to land on the newly filled feeders and bird table. I looked at him in the morning light, with the amber of our room behind him and thought ‘however poor these light conditions are I want to record this scene’. So, here he is. Attention elsewhere (away from me that is) for a change.

I suspect it wouldn’t be possible to have a more loyal, devoted companion. He knows that I’m his friend and I’ll always look after him…..I hope.