The first sign I noticed of Daniel’s tumour was a patch on his leg that felt different, on closer inspection he had lost a little patch of fur. He lets me stroke him all over but moved away every time I got to the patch.

It was such a tiny detail.

He knows.

I’m cleaning out Daniel’s leg three times a day, he finds it uncomfortable but it’s it’s necessary. The last time I clean his leg is at his bedtime. He hasn’t been eating independently much for a while now and I don’t interrupt him if he’s eating. Every time I go upstairs in the evening Daniel is eating seeds. I think he hears me coming up the stairs, doesn’t want his leg to be cleaned and eats a bit because he knows I won’t interrupt his eating.

Just now he’s sitting there, holding a dried flower, occasionally nibbling at it. He. Knows.