On 11th September our beautiful, loving baby boy went to rainbow bridge. Myself and the other volunteers are all heartbroken. There was nothing more that could be done that would prevent the spread of his cancer and we wanted to ensure that he would not suffer.  Since he has been poorly, all of the volunteers have come together and helped Diesel in anyway they can. From Nat taking me, to and from vet trips (usually at a moments notice!). To Rachel and Julia coming to visit (which really lifted his spirits). To Richard and Lorna, who for the past week have cared for Diesel around the clock. They have monitored him every hour throughout the night, fought for him 100%, travelled to the vets with him many times and basically gone above and beyond for Diesel. If it wasn't for them he wouldn't have made it through the past week. Richard had the final duty of love holding him whilst he passed and he gave Richard a kiss and licked his face as he closed his eyes showing how grateful he was for all the love and care he had received.  To Sarah, Wendy and the Cottam team who cared for him so well since he was rescued from the pound and all loved him dearly. To Trudie, one of the Trustees who saved Diesel's life to begin with, agreed to any vet care he required irrespective of cost and tried anything and everything to save Diesel's life. To the vets who tried so hard to save his life but knew through their skill, experience and compassion when it was time to let him go.  He was such a loved little boy. He had and always has had the personality of a grumpy old man (Diesel has always been this way, it wasn't due to illness), but if you got a football for him, his little face would light up and he'd revert back to being a little puppy in play. If he saw his lead he'd wag his tail so fast and wiggle his little bum! He adored going for a walk, when he first came into foster with us I worried he wouldn't be able to keep up with our walks and gradually eased him into it, with short ones at first. However he completely proved us wrong; as eventually it was us saying, let's go home now, Diesel! He loved to explore and go on new walks. Something we hadn't realised from him being in kennels was how much he loved a cuddle and fuss. He was happiest when he was cuddled up in bed with me or on the sofa, snoring his little head off! He loved his ears and tummy being scratched and if you stopped he would nudge you for more!! It is not difficult to see how and why he touched so many people, from volunteers to all of the amazing people on Facebook who sent their love and donated towards his vet bills. He had a sad start to his life being abandoned in the pound, but I know that his time with Doris Banham Dog Rescue has been happy and I hope he understands how much he was and will always be loved by every one of us. He has taken a piece of my heart with him, but I know I will always be with him and he with me x