Chapter 4

Rockin’ at the Tackeroo

Over the next few weeks the hits on Cuch’s U Tube performance just kept on coming: hit after hit after hit.

Lucas would imagine all these people (mostly from school as word had got around that he had a rockin’ dog) glued to the screen mesmerised, then erupting with laughter.

This was Lucas’s last year at school and he couldn’t wait for end of term in just a few months’ time.

One night at home the family were in the lounge. Cuch was swaying his head side to side to a melodic rock ballad The Unforgiven, by Metallica, at the time.

“Would this be a mad idea?” Lucas said.

“What if we took Cuch to a rock gig?”

His parents at first looked doubtful, but Janine pointed out she knew the owner of a local rock club, the Tackeroo.

She looked thoughtful for a few minutes, then rang Geoff at ‘the Tac’’.

After exchanging a few pleasantries she said, “Geoff. I know you’ll think I’m barking mad, but have you heard about our dog?”

She hardly finished the sentence, when Geoff laughed and said he’d heard some rubbish about a dog who was into rock music.

“But Geoff, it’s true,” Janine said. “And I know he’d just love to party at the Tac’.”

Geoff, a large bearded bloke laughed uproariously.

“Bring him on Saturday night,” he said. “We’ll give him free admission and a guest spot!”

He hung up the phone, still laughing.

On Saturday night Janine, Alex, Lucas, Tom, Louis, Grace - and Cuch - arrived at the club.

Hoards of leather and denim-clad punters were pouring into the club, all ages, from teens to ageing rockers. All were united in their love of rock music, new and old.

“He coming in for the music?” one scary-looking geezer scoffed as he stroked Cuch’s head.

“Jut wait and see mate,” Alex replied.

Geoff was on the door as they walked in. He greeted Cuch with more warmth than anyone else.

“Come in Saturday Rock Dog!” he laughed.

Cuch’s tail wagged wildly. He could already hear the distant rock disco sounds - and Iron Maiden was one of his favourites.

The night flew by in a haze of sweaty bodies, music and laughter.

The DJ played hit after hit. The crowd was on the floor all night dancing to the point of exhaustion - and it seemed every one of them had taken it in turns to pal up with Cuch, who headbanged and leapt around for a full two hours. He even had his own water provided in a pint glass.

Later in the night Geoff took to the stage.

“Ladies and gents, you’ve all seen our special guest tonight - and I’d like to invite him onto the stage for a special performance! Let’s put our hands together for Saturday Rock Dog - Cooch!”

“It’s Cuch!” Lucas managed to shout as he took his dog onto the stage, but he was drowned out by the noise as the crowd went crazy.

The sounds of Status Quo’s ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ rang out. Oblivious to the audience Lucas and Cuch had a great time dancing. It even seemed as if Cuch’s performance skills had gone up an extra notch due to the atmosphere of a rock club.

The dog was air guitaring!

His right front paw was playing an imaginary guitar at the same time as he leapt around on his hind legs.

The flashed from all the mobile phone cameras made Lucas feel as if he was a real superstar.

It took about an hour to get out of the club that night because so many people wanted to tell Cuch what a cool dog he was.

Geoff waved them off.

“Hey. Saturday nights. No charge. You just bring that dog and he can have a guest slot any time!” he shouted after them as they finally got out of the door into the cold air.

Janine’s face was flushed from the heat indoors.

“Wow!” she said as she took a deep breath of air.

“What a night for a stray dog.”