You’ve got a friend in me

LOYAL, mischievous and undeniably cuddly, our canine companions hold a special place in our hearts long after they’re gone. It can be hard to explain this bond to someone who’s never had a dog, but it’s powerful, real and poignant. Tales of delightful and dastardly dogs have stood the test of time. Here are 10 instances where Man’s—or woman’s—best friend scratched a cosy spot in the history books.

Rufus and Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill’s rhetoric and humorous putdowns are well documented. Most even know about the years he spent painting goldfish at Chartwell. Lesser known is the fact that he was a big softie. His two great loves were brown miniature poodles named Rufus and Rufus II—‘but the II is silent’. Rufus may have accompanied Churchill to Buckingham Palace, but he was