My dog is my old friend, when we were young we used to run around and wrestle and for 13 years where ever I’ve been he’s been there with me, at my feet or on my lap. Now his doddery old legs barely carry him and his arthritis and old injuries are a constant nag and need medication but our intertwined lives means that we are still the best of friends and know each others thoughts and emotions.

My body is my oldest friend, for 68 years it’s carried me through 50 years of martial arts and every sensual pleasure and trauma that’s beset me. Now I treat it the same as my old dog, I talk to it every day and the constant pain reminds me of everything we’ve done, the many scars, the arthritic legs and shoulders only cement our long term friendship and remind me of the great life we’ve had together. I couldn’t have done it without him.