Anniversaries are strange things. They can remind us strongly of something past, or, if the memory has faded sufficiently they can seem surreal. Today it is a week since we lost our much loved Florence and the memory is still a painful one.

The other dogs are adjusting slowly to their situation. Ben (the Love God) has unexpectedly taken charge of the others, Homer has taken to catching mice (EEEKK!) while Barney has settled down in the kitchen, made himself comfortable and refuses to move. Apparently he believes that when the Mujahadeen strike, the kitchen is likely to be their first point of attack and he wants to be ready. That, and the fact he doesn't want to miss out on any food.

But today is another, quite different anniversary too. It's the anniversary of the day Mr Penry and I first met. The day that changed our lives.

Weather wise, that day was quite different from this. It was sunny, cold and bright, whereas today is overcast, damp and cloudy. But it still feels the same somehow. For us it's as though this day is somehow imprinted on the year and no matter what else is going on, no matter what the weather, we just feel the significance of the day the same as always.

This isn't as strange as it sounds. One of our old dogs (not one I've written about here on the blog) always knew when it was his birthday and would go beserk, barking and making a great fuss until we took some notice. It never happened on any other day, just his birthday. Every year.

It won't be a big celebration today. Love doesn't need a great song and dance (though Mr Penry reckons a nice drop of whisky wouldn't go amiss). Love just needs constant recognition, care and consideration. A bit like a plant, really!