While employed in the archives of the Navy's heritage collection on Spectacle Island, Sydney, I came across an object wrapped in an old copy of the Navy News featuring an engaging black & white photograph of 'Tuin', the new puppy mascot for HMAS Coonawarra, a naval base located in Darwin, Northern Territory.

The caption: 'New navy pup, 'Tuin', tries a cap for size at today's ceremony' with a photograph by Lyndon Mechlielsen, 'one of Australia's most highly respected news and media photographers, with over forty years covering major national and international news events' (Source: Lyndon Mechlielsen / News Corp). The issue was dated 1973.

I like to think that 'Tuin' had a great life after commencing his naval K9 career 47 years ago, and I hope my artwork brings this engaging little pup to back to life after all these years!