Jock.

Today I found out that one of our pack has osteosarcoma. Yeah I had to look that up, it's bone cancer...

Jock, far from being 'just a dog', has been an integral part of my daily life for my entire time at Hyams Beach. His head just the right height to appear at the serving window of the cafe seeking treats, he'd always greet me with great enthusiasm. He is the only one capable of getting Albert excited from his normally  indolent recline. People used to seeing Albert lazing about the sunny spots of the cafe don't recognise him in his exuberence around Jock. They'll often say 'is that Albert!?' The disbelief evident on their shocked dials. 

Terry and I used to jock, I mean joke (actual typo) that Jock needed one of those harnesses that visually identify a dog's temperament - green for a well socialised dog, orange for a dog that needed adult supervision and red for a sociopath. Well we would say he needed a black and yellow one that just said 'c*nt'! Because while Jock sought out a pat from any unsuspecting customer he didn't like labradors and would turn on them in a flash. There seemed no reasoning to his behaviour and just to keep us on our toes he'd sometimes be a c*nt to other dogs (including Albert). None the less this never swayed Albert's affection for his best mate. Dare I say the love of his life!?

It is so difficult to see such a magnificent creature in pain and distress and I type this through a veil of tears that blur my words. VB is helping... The suddenness of it all is scary. Only a few days ago we were concerned about him limping slightly, to today him being unable to lie down easily without obvious pain. Terry said he thought it was the 'rust' but I just presumed he was being melodramatic. Well after some X-rays today the drama is real and it is here to stay. 

It hurts to think that I am leaving for America so soon. I had no idea this could happen so suddenly and that when I return Jock might not be around to greet me. I love the way he would charge up to me to say hello. I quickly learned that it was wise to meet him side-on for fear of my manhood being compromised. And since I moved in under the cafe he made a point to come down and make sure we weren't there before checking the up at the cafe. The way he would 'goose' me from behind trying to get the sand off his face. 

I have so many fond memories of Jock and I hate that I am grieving like he has already passed but I know that when I return the Jock I remember so fondly won't be there to 'goose' me in an unsuspecting moment. Memories like the time a sailor on his morning run spent a moment to tie his laces and how Jock, seeing an opportunity, bolted down the beach in a flash to mount said sailor and do the 'Marvin Gaye'! Terry told me how Jock would delicately 'assume the position' behind him and breath heavily into his ear whenever he tried to load a DVD into the player. Many of us fell victim to Jock's 'affections'. We always maintained that one should never bend down in his presence!

I remember the time they were filming an ad on Hyams Beach and Jock took a keen interest interest in their hyper expensive drone helicopter with a Canon 5D mkII slung to it's underbelly.  And then, laid down in Hyams Beach folk lore... The time Jock crashed the wedding on the beach. He always seeks the lime light. 

So while I suck back a VB or two listening to Johnny Cash I reminisce on a member of my pack who has suddenly and irrevocably fallen ill. 

Jock. I know you are a fighter and will fight this most insurmountable of fights. I am truly sorry I won't be here for you. To stroke your magnificent mane and help you through this ordeal. To that task I charge Albert, Terry and Roxy.  

Who can deny the bonds formed between man and beast. You are a magnificent beast Jock and your spirit will live long in legend. 

While most of you out there won't really care or understand, it is with a teary eye and a heavy heart I leave you this - Jock. 

Rxx