Truffle was our family dog for a little over 14 years. A liver and white cocker spaniel from working stock, he was larger than most members of his breed. Having been the runt of his large litter, he gave us no choice when it came to choosing him. Our 10- year-old daughter sat down, rapt in puppy heaven, to discern among the wriggling contenders, and Truffle, his eyes barely open, crawled over to her and started to lick her hand. She picked him up, and he went to sleep in her arms: love at first snore. His mother’s owners moved the other puppies back down the feeding line to give Truffle the best milk, and he put on a huge growth spurt, outstripping all his brothers and sisters.