At this stage in my life Pickles was my best friend, my companion and as it turns out, my life saver. I was at the point of giving up on life because the realisation of being house bound and alone was too much. Pickles gave me a reason to live, to get up each day, to laugh and he taught me how to love again. My life had meaning and purpose each day and I had found a friend who would go on to be my assistant and companion for many years.