Five years ago, on New Year's Eve, we travelled down the motorway to meet with another volunteer and bring home a rather sad and confused old dog as a temporary foster. Jasper Bear, as he became known, had been separated from his poorly owner and his doggie friend and taken to the vets to be put down.

Luckily for Jasper (and us), the vets got in touch with Oldies Club instead and there was a mad NYE rush to get Jasper to safety. I had never fostered for Oldies Club before, because quite frankly I'm a rubbish fosterer, but circumstances conspired and I found myself volunteering on this occasion. It was meant to be, I'm completely sure about that.

The first night Jasper was here, I dozed in an armchair all night so that I could be near him and because I couldn't sleep for the thought of handing him over for a move to his 'proper' foster home. It quickly became apparent that Jasper wasn't going anywhere. We'd fallen in love as soon as we put him in the car to bring him home and he fitted in so well with our existing rescue dogs - and I'm sure he gained comfort from them being here too, after being parted from his previous doggie companion. So we adopted him and he became our forever Jasper Bear. In the initial days he would pace from front to back door and when out walking, he would seem to be trying to 'get home', but he soon came to regard us as his new family and truly became one of us. He was the sweetest boy, very handsome and with a bit of a cheeky side too.

Jasper was with us for almost two years before we had to say goodbye as he set off on his journey to Rainbow Bridge. I don't wish to make you sad. I did cry while writing this, because I will love and miss Jasper always, but every day with him was a blessing. We are so glad that thanks to Oldies Club, he had an amazing few years with us and left for the Bridge with his beloved new family by his side when it really was his time to go, rather than with kind strangers when he still had so much to live for.

Oldies Club makes a REAL difference to the lives of older dogs. The charity has taken in other dogs like Jasper who were facing being put down before their time and also dogs from many other situations that made it impossible for them to stay with their previous families.

I've set up this page today to remember Jasper, five years on from the day he came 'home', to encourage others to adopt an older dog and to ask, please, if you would make a donation today to support Oldies Club's wonderful work in rescuing and rehoming older dogs in the UK. We are all volunteers and we are very grateful for all donations.

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year and all the best for 2015. Give your dogs a snuggle from everyone at Oldies Club.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.