The drive to the emergency vet felt endless, she sat cradling him, crying and sobbing and holding his limp body wrapped up like a newborn baby. He was cold and non-responsive and had long closed his eyes on the journey. She was repeatedly telling him he was a good boy, to not be scared, while tears streamed down her face and she kept looking to Rob for reassurance.

Muffin felt cold and alien to her, his normally hyperactive little self like a wet rag on her lap. Rose’s tears were blurring her vision, so she could barely see, her nose running and her speech almost unintelligible as Rob tried to...