Jack, the sacked police sniffer dog who helped a consultant through chemo

Jack, a cocker spaniel dismissed from police service as a detection dog, became the companion of an NHS hospital consultant during her breast cancer treatment.

His career with the police was a failure: he was reportedly more interested in people than cannabis and made mistakes such as begging for treats from potential offenders. A colleague arranged for Jack to come to the family home in a police van; he arrived lithe, glossy black and animated, ricocheting around the house, knocking over children and pot plants, chasing rabbits and pheasants, eating from the children’s plates and collecting shoes.

About a year after Jack arrived, the owner discovered a breast lump that led to surgery and chemotherapy. On chemo weeks she was often too ill to leave bed and friends walked Jack; when she felt well enough they walked together across the fields. Jack was gentle, returned when called, stopped bringing rabbits and kept close during long days at home, laying with her on the sofa and on the bathroom floor when she was vomiting.

After she went into remission and returned to work, Jack continued to watch over her and sometimes accompanied her on call. On one visit to the police cells he sat under a desk and refused to make eye contact with the sergeant. Jack died aged 12; his ashes were scattered on his favourite beach and it took a couple of years before his owner stopped leaving a space for him on the sofa.

Key Topics

Health, Jack, Cocker Spaniel, Police Dog, Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy