Stubborn Dog has been laying and sleeping in more and more unusual places once he had become poorly.
He would normally be an arm's length away from Beach Buoy at night.
Beach Buoy woke at 3-55am and headed for the smallest room of the house.
Stubborn Dog was laid across the doorway of an unused bedroom.
The little Dog was wide awake.
Beach Buoy bundled him up and carried him downstairs.
Beach Buoy boiled a kettle for a beach walk coffee.
Deep down he knew the "Beach Walk." would most probably end up as a sit in the van.
It had been hard watching little Stubborn Dog deteriorate so quickly, too quickly.
It felt as if Beach Buoy had watched his mate die a dozen times or more.
The Vet had prescribed extra pain-killers with the sentence
"Enjoy him over the weekend." echoing around.
Beach Buoy placed Stubborn Dog on to the back seat of the van.
They set off for the sea front; it was 4-18 am.
Beach Buoy wiped spots of rain from the windscreen and some big fat tears from his eyes.
They parked up opposite the Village Green at 4 -25 am.
Stubborn Dog was already snoring in his favourite spot on the rear seat.
It was around forty minutes to sunrise.
There was lots of low cloud.
It would most probably be a no-show sunrise.
Beach Buoy lit up some coloured lights in the van.
It began to rain heavily, rain pitter-patted on the van's roof.
Stubborn Dog sounded and looked comfortable, a rarity in recent times.
A grey sea rumbled under a grey sky.
Mid-Grey ships dotted the horizon.
Maybe only people who had made a special bond with a dog would understand the sense of hopelessness and desperation that comes with watching a bundle of life and loyalty fade away.
Others would say
"Its only a Dog."
Beach Buoy sat on the floor of the van as he held Stubborn Dog's front paws.
He sobbed and sobbed as he told the dog that he was so very sorry.
That he loved him.
He reminded him that they were going to write a book together, go to so many places.
There would be no point if his co-pilot, co-author and friend wasn't going to be there.
No point at all.
He sobbed more and more.
Deep down he knew that this was their goodbye, no matter when farewell should come.
Beach Buoy was happy his mate was comfortable.
He drank gulps of hot coffee from his thermal cup.
Early morning random cars passed along the seafront as a ship sailed in between The Gares.
A Cyclist in racing colours, sped along the promenade.
Beach Buoy looked in the van's mirror and watched as two Belisha Beacons flashed out of sync with one another.
4-55 am Stubborn Dog woke.
Beach Buoy opened the side door of the van for him.
The dog sniffed at the damp sea air.
They went for a short walk / carry.
A walk.
A wee.
A look at the sea.
The rain had stopped.
Beach Buoy held Stubborn Dog close as they looked at the sea.
The dog seemed so distant, no matter how tightly he tried to hold him.
Beach Buoy carried Stubborn Dog back to the van.
He wrapped him in blankets.
It looked like the end, the dog looked so poorly.
Beach Buoy drove around, touring old haunts for maybe one last time?
They ended back up at the car park at Seaton Carew.
Beach Buoy placed his friend on the Promenade Wall, they watched The Little Terns.
It was 6-44 am.
They returned to the van.
Beach Buoy sat in the driver's seat as Stubborn Dog went into sleep mode once more.
Some of the 7 am club were already heading along the Promenade, thus giving The Little Terns beach space.
Mari the big friendly poodle trotted by with her white scottie dog side-kick.
Their owner raised an arm of recognition to Beach Buoy.
He had been informed about Stubborn Dog's condition the day before.
Beach Buoy went to the side door of the van.
He opened it to let Stubborn Dog sniff the sea air once more.
A late arrival for the 7 am club came along.
Beach Buoy calls the Dog, Chocolate Pudding.
The Brown Dog some times wears a yellow raincoat transforming into Chocolate Pudding and Custard.
Word must have gone round the 7 am club.
"I'm so sorry about your Dog."
The story was told.
Chocolate Pudding was at Beach Buoy's legs, receiving a good neck scratch.
"She Loves Cuddles."
Time to go.
They headed to Seaham later that day.
Stubborn Dog slept as Beach Buoy
walked the beach as he tried to file things correctly in his head.
A photograph of the whole hole is the law.
Now that is a Stack!
He headed back as the whole beach seemed to be searching for lost car keys.
They headed back.
Stubborn Dog sat at the top of the staircase, watching.
Later that night they returned to the beach, with a son in law and his dog in tow.
Beach Buoy took them to the stack, giving instructions and obtaining promises.
"Stubborn Dog is going there."
" I am going there."
"Don't let me down"
They headed back.
Beach Buoy carried Stubborn Dog,
BEACH BUOY.
