Ray is a really interesting character in many ways. He originally had a strong distrust of everybody, and went through a lunge and bark routine to make them go away. Having been on the receiving end of that display of “unrest”, I can attest to its efficiency!

He has clearly come a long way since then, and is generally “Mr Sociable” when we are out. Even people who show no interest in him often get some friendly attention. He has been known to nudge pockets of strangers with his nose, just as he has been known to thrust his face into some unsuspecting lady’s handbag! The common denominator is probably a strong scent of something potentially edible in there!

One of his problems, and one which he can do little about, are his looks! People know he is a German Shepherd… and yet? It is his soft face lines and…

My first overnight shift at the Kevorkian clinic was dark. Jane was from Kenya. Jane wasn’t her real name. She was old. She was strong. She had a face like a balloon, filled with cement. She didn’t smile much. We cleaned the patients, gave them their medication, stuck them in their beds. We slept, even we weren’t supposed to.

“No one is in danger,” Jane told me. I didn’t agree, I didn’t disagree. I was tired. I slept. In the morning, Jane put on the gospel channel. She said “amen” a lot. We prepared breakfast.

“Go wake Patrick,” she said. I found him in bed. He had down-syndrome, but was asleep like anyone else. He didn’t want to get up.

“No, David!” he cried at me.

“My name isn’t David, Patrick.”

“David, go away!”

I sighed and left.

Jane was in the kitchen.

“He won’t get up.”

She chuckled as…