FAREWELL ROSCOE

F1 ace Lewis Hamilton is mourning the beloved bulldog that was never far from his side

- ALULUTHO GUZANA

HE DATED pop star Nicole Scherzinger and has been linked to a string of beauties including Gigi Hadid, Rihanna and Rita Ora. But nothing has captured Lewis Hamilton's heart as wholly as a stocky little fellow with an underbite, a face full of wrinkles and a genetic predisposition towards flatulence.

Roscoe the bulldog was the love of Lewis' life for over a decade - his travelling companion and sleeping partner, his lucky charm and best friend, his one constant in a high-octane dog-eat-dog world.

The pooch was by his master's side at glittering award ceremonies, became a regular in race paddocks and witnessed Lewis achieve the most podium finishes in Formula One history, including seven world titles.

So when the beloved bulldog died recently, Lewis was bereft. “After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe,” the 40-year-old racing legend said on Instagram.

He also posted a series of pictures with his canine comrade, including one of them sitting on a lawn and another showing Roscoe's paw resting on Lewis' hand.

Roscoe's passing comes five years after the death of Coco, the dog Lewis adopted when her breeder couldn't afford her medical costs and planned to put her down.

Coco, who'd been born with multiple medical issues, died in 2020 from a suspected heart attack. Roscoe, however, had to be euthanised, an experience Lewis called one of the most painful of his life.

“Although I lost Coco, I have never been faced with putting a dog to sleep before,” he said.