Melon Collie

It’s probably inappropriate to put such a personal blog on what is intended to be a professional website, but…it’s my website.

I had always wanted a dog, but as my early working life involved commuting to London, it seemed unfair. So when Dad and I formed the Practice in 1993, it seemed an opportunity. So in August 1994 Lesley and I visited kennels in Kimbolton, just north of Bedford, and came back with a border collie puppy that buried itself inside my jacket and wee-d on my shirt.

At first she was not big enough to walk all the way to the office, so I carried her in a holdall, but before long she was trotting along content in her daily commute. Her default position was in the footwell of the desk unless she decided it was time to play and our telephone calls would be interrupted by the sound of a ball bouncing on the floor behind us and, shortly afterwards a bark demanding attention. She would often accompany me to site visits, sitting on the central arm of the chair, surveying the road and passing unspoken comment on the quality of my driving.

When Dad retired and I decided to continue as a sole practitioner from home she was a regular fixture at business meetings and a confidante as I noodled away at a particularly awkward situation. Her speciality was acting as a canine doorbell for, no matter what method I try, I can never hear the real one from my desk.

Ouside of work she would launch one dog attacks at the wilderbeest and lions that crossed the television, launching herself from the elevated position of the sofa and coming to a halt a millimetre away from the screen, before turning to accept the plaudits of the humans in her pack who clearly incapable of defending themselves.

Sadly, and inevitably, after 16 years of unconditional companionship, attention and fun, I was faced with the most dreadful decision that those of us with dogs ever have to take. We said goodbye to her as she lay in front of the television that she loved watching, while I held her and stroked until well after she had gone.

The head says it was the right thing to do. I’m sure the heart will agree.

Eventually.