Alison O'Connor: Maxi helped heal my broken heart but now we have to say goodbye

'No more of the familiar tap tap of small terrier paws around the house' — sixteen years on, our much-loved dog is gone

The beloved family dog, Maxi, who Alison O'Connor recalls first meeting 16 years ago: 'He scampered across the floor, a ball of black fluff with a patch of white on his chest. He fitted into the palm of my hand...'

This column is being written much earlier than normal. I fear I won’t be able to write it afterwards. There are just a few hours left before something awful happens and my psychological state is veering between disbelief and desolation.

At 6.30pm we will, as a family, arrive at the vets with our 16-year-old dog Maxi. He is being put down. I can’t quite believe it is happening, but I yet know it is the correct decision.