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It is a year to the day since my very handsome gentleman Mason left for Rainbow Bridge. I can't believe the time has gone yet his legacy has been immense for me. I was today elected as convenor of the Greyhound Awareness League - the charity who gave me my boy - after serving in the position for several months and thought it was very fitting that our AGM fell on this day. Mason opened my eyes to animal rescue and I hope by becoming involved with the charity who gave him to me I can honour his memory and do him proud. He was, in the words of our vet's nurse shortlybefore he died ' the George Clooney of the greyhound world' He was handsome, suave and utterly charming. I miss my boy every day and thought I would share my fave pic with you.

When I fostered Byron I made it clear it was a foster with a view to adoption. I had briefly fostered another dog Blue for the Greyhound Awareness League but everyone knew I was looking for a permanent replacement for Mason with my girl Nell. Blue was never an option - he was two, which is too young for my girl - and a real foster but I was very clear that the next one would be a potential adoptee. While all charities need foster homes I expect they will appreciate fosters with an intent to adopt as much as regular fosters. At the end of the day you need a dog who will fit into your home and fostering is a great way to find the right dog. Byron was specifically chosen because as a large black greyhound he had less chance of finding a home than others - don't ask me why but the black boys get overlooked again and again. As it turns out he is even more immature than Blue but Nell has an extraordinary degree of patience with him - I think she knows he is 'special' - he is not the brightest and I see dogs coming into GAL every day who are less work than Byron, but I would not exchange him for anything. At the end of the day you find the dog that works for you and then you work for the dog. Go for fostering, let them know your thoughts and see what happens. It can be extraordinary! Marie

Well done Morag, I'm sure she'll pick up German in no time. Marie

This little girl went missing last Tuesday after slipping out of her new family's house and running into the vast rural area surrounding them Tina, an ex-racing greyhound, had only been with her new family for four days and was still very timid. She went to ground and despite dozens of friends, family and GAL volunteers searching day and night and several sightings we had no joy. Today one of her owner Gary's drivers spotted her drinking out of a stream and he and six of his staff headed out after her. She was eventually caught by a female member of his staff and is now safely at home. She has a cut on her chest which needed stitches and is thin but she is home and safe. It is a wonderful end to a story which does not always end well. Sadly dogs like Tina, who have little experience of homelife and trusting humans don't seek out people when they go missing and often disappear forever. There is a five-year-old boy tonight whose new best friend is back in his arms. We rarely get to tell these stories so I am delighted to share it. Marie PS Tina was adopted on Friday the 13th, so we should have known it wouldn't be plain sailing.

Tina was found today!!! After seven days living rough she is skinny and has some wounds whch are being treated but should make a full recovery. It is a great relief for everyone, thanks to all who helped and passed on the word. Marie

He looks rightly proud of his rosettes Clever boy. Marie

What great pix, they all look like they are good pals and having a ball! Marie

A recently adopted brindle greyhound Tina has escaped from her new home in Newmains, Lanarkshire, and disappeared. Tina was adopted last Friday and escaped her home on Tuesday, despite sightings, she is still at large. Its particularly sad because her new family adopted her for their 5-year-old autistic son to help with his communication skills and they had developed a very tight bond. If anyone in the area sees Tina please contact GAL on their helpline no 0870 888 7277 or if they do not get a response they can call me direct on 0776 5897131 and I will get someone to them. Thanks Marie

Just a wee update on Blue, I meet him and his new family regularly and he is thriving. He is with a family with a 12-year-old girl who adores him and is learning new things all the time. He turns out to be part Collie, which explains his 'smarts', he really is a clever boy, and is offlead and well behaved all the time, which is fantastic. He is very happy and doing really well. I'm almost jealous but I know my home was made for a Byron not a Blue!! Marie

Just about!! He is so daft it defies belief. Last week he went through a kilo bag of carrots at the dogsitters taking a bite from each one, spitting it out in disgust before trying another. she found him with a big pile of orange pulp between his front paws and discarded carrots around him. He just didn't get that they would all taste the same. Her boy Shep happily ate the leftover bits And don't even start me on his peeing on Nellie's head habits. He has the Father Dougal look down to a fine art however, tongue sticking out the side of him mouth as he gazes around in astonishment at a noise, movement or his own fart

We were just starting a walk when a big Staffie boy came running up to say hello to Byron. His owner was desperately trying to get him in the car but instead he was intent on giving Byron 'a treat'. He disappeared under Byron's legs and began licking furiously. To my absolute humiliation, instead of moving or warning him off, Byron lifted his leg to give him better access!!! After a few minutes the Staffie's owner managed to drag him away and was last heard warning him 'don't you dare think you'll be getting kisses from me later'. As if that wasn't a shocking enough incident my 74-year-old mother a few minutes later asked me 'is that what they call a bl*w j*b' Thanks Byron - for educating granny and embarrassing me - jeez!

Never seen that pic before Terri, its so my boy, thank you!

I am so sorry your grand old dame has left you Alicia. to you and Ray, thinking about you tonight. Marie x

I can't believe its two years! happy birthday daft lad, you had some big boots to fill Marie

I am about to sell my flat in Edinburgh and was back in the city passing Leith Links where I used to walk my greyhound Mason, then I went to pick up a box of things I'd left at my mums during my move and found his rosettes from the Edinburgh Hot Dog Show, when he cleaned up and his Kennel Club Bronze certificate that we won after taking him, aged seven, to a class with 10 other puppies in East Lothian. There were also lots of pix. I am living in the west of Scotland now and have my old girl Nell and foster Byron but today I thought about Mason a lot. I miss him all the time and it was very comforting to search his name in The Refuge forum and read all the posts I made before he was struck by cancer and left us. I'd like to thank The Refuge for being here and keeping so many dogs memories alive. I was quite low when I came on and have a smile on my face now because the posts reminded me of the good times, the gaffes, and the nonsense. Here are a few pix of my boy, which I love... Marie x