From race track to Master’s Lodge: how a retired greyhound brought comfort to Sir Christopher Dobson

"Everyone always wants to say hi to Jimbo and my dad was incredibly proud of him"

In his final months, Professor Sir Christopher Dobson was rarely seen without his shadow - Jimbo, the retired racing greyhound.

He even accompanied him to the May Ball, graduation, and countless Evensong services.

Now the late Master's family features in a new film describing the joy and comfort Jimbo brought to Sir Christopher after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Sir Christopher, known as Chris, and his family adopted Jimbo early last year.

The Master of St John's had always wanted to own a dog, and he and his wife, Dr Mary Dobson, and their sons Richard and William, decided to rehome a retired greyhound. The pair quickly became inseparable and Jimbo was the Master's new best friend until Chris' death in September 2019. 

Professor Sir Christopher Dobson, Dr Mary Dobson and Jimbo at Graduation 2019
Professor Sir Christopher Dobson, Dr Mary Dobson and Jimbo at Graduation 2019

Dr Dobson and William have now appeared in a film to promote former racing greyhounds as pets, in it they describe how Jimbo was a huge source of comfort Chris in his final months.

William said: “Jimbo arrived at a dark time for the family and he brought so much joy to us all. Everyone always wants to say hi to Jimbo and my dad was incredibly proud of him. He continues to bring so much comfort to us all and I don’t think we can imagine life without him.”

 

Published: 5/2/2020

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