The Retreat Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant, Grassington

This is a picture of Biffo, our lovely little companion of many years. We got together after a visit to the world famous Battersea dogs home. He was a good and faithful companion, and, as the Maitre D (for Dog) of The Retreat, he was always happy to see people, cheerfully waving his little tail at friends old and new. and taking full advantage of the generosity of customers, so much so that we had to put a sign asking people not to be quite so open handed towards him. Towards the end he was able to slow down took a back seat to Jaspar, just discretely pointing out the small errors all apprentices make.

Like all dogs he had his mischievous side, but he was never bad.

We will miss him terribly.

Jaspar is a new member of the team. He is rescue dog. When we got him he was very thin and underweight. As you can see he is now a very healthy, fit and happy dog, and is now in training as the café's Maitre D (for dog).

We're happy to say that his social life has improved too, as at closing time he takes a run along the river Wharfe to play with his doggie friends, and then it's back home for dinner and bed. What a life.

For Biffo, in loving memory:

A Small Black Ghost

How could I know a small black ghost

would haunt each shadowed corner where,

in vibrant life he'd wait for me

to turn the key to enter there?

How could I ever dream that he

would catch the corner of my eye,

or brush against receding heel

as once he did; as I pass by?

How could I dream - or do I dream?

Is it my grief which conjures there,

bright golden eyes alight with love

for just a second on the stair?

For when I turn, or fix my gaze,

there is no small bright ghost to see;

Only each ever-empty space,

as empty as the heart of me.

Nan Ford