Barry Egan on the dog who turned him into an animal lover: 'Harper is the ideal friend: she listens and never judges. I don't know what I'd do without her'

One Friday night in Co Laois last November, I met the female of my dreams. It was love at first sight. Her name was Harper. Her big brown eyes appeared to look into you and see something redeemable. Which is always a good start. Harper was the great redeemer. Where had she been all my life?

Harper is a pure-bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and until I met her I wasn't sure that I liked dogs. As a kid, I had been bitten by an Alsatian. Growing up, the collective charm of canines was not immediately obvious to me. I certainly didn't want one.

Read at Independent