Tio, a fluffy black and white dog, running through long grass with his tongue out

Black and grey tattoo of Tio's smiling face among peonies on a forearm

In memory

Tio

A fluffy rescue with a heart on his side, who only ever wanted a cuddle.

Tio was the family's first dog. He was a rescue and had a sad start in life. The first time they met him, he lay on her feet and her brother's for the whole visit. He wasn't bothered about treats or toys. He just wanted to be cuddled.

Tio held in a big hug, his head on his owner's shoulder — Cuddles first

He grew up with them. He loved running on the beach, chasing squirrels and tormenting the postman.

Tio sniffing the sand on a pebbly beach, on a lead — Beach days

He was incredibly fluffy, and she still finds his hairs around the house. He had beautiful markings too, with a black patch on his side shaped like a heart. People stopped to admire it when they were out.

Tio lying on a leather sofa, looking up — All fluff

He had thirteen years with them. Watching him get old was hard, but it reminded her how precious their time together was. She misses him every day.

Close-up of Tio's face and brown eyes — Thirteen years

The photo she chose for the tattoo is Tio running towards the camera, tongue out, smiling. That's the face she keeps with her now.

“To have his smiling face with me all the time is such a blessing!”

Aisha Lama