It is with great sadness that I report today the loss of my Best Boy and Patrol Mate Thomas who crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 29th August assisted with great gentleness and kindness by his Vet friend Connell and his team at Tablelands Vet Service, Atherton.

Thomas, a Black and Tan Standard Dachshund, was a rescue dog who joined our family in September 2014 and was one of the most gentle, loving, well behaved and stoic dogs it has been my pleasure to know. He was well known in Yungaburra from our long walks around the village and when Platypus Patrol commenced he regularly accompanied me. In addition to his Patrol duties he loved to share himself with visitors from interstate or overseas who were missing their own Fur-babies. He was often mentioned in dispatches.

Thomas was not without medical problems, having suffered two episodes of inter-vertebral disc prolapse from which he recovered. A year ago he suffered a minor injury which led eventually to a toe amputation. Some cancer cells were found in the histology which followed and in retrospect he was never the same again.

Over recent weeks he became increasingly unwell, started to lose weight. Investigations showed an abdominal mass and some liver damage and it would have been unkind to keep him in increasing pain because we could not bear to lose him.

We love you Thomas and will never forget you. Rest in peace in the Happy Hunting Ground in the sky.