J is for JACK RUSSELL

He came in a little cardboard box, brought into school by one of my primary six pupils and her mother. She sat the box on her desk that afternoon and we all marvelled at how small he was and how soft and fluffy. I had lots of names I thought about calling him but as he wasn't to be my pet, I put all those out of my mind and just waited for the bell to goat the end of school. I knew mum and daughter were sorry to see him go but at least they had the comfort of several other puppies back at the house and the knowledge that he would be looked after like royalty.

Mum named him Snoopy, rather original don't you think, since Peanuts was all the rage at the time and there must have been thousands of Jack Russell terriers bearing the same name. What commotion it would be if they all came running at the same time on hearing their name called! Anyway, he settled in fairly quickly to home life, with his own royal corner in the kitchen, consisting of the little cardboard box turned on its side and a soft blanket hastily arranged as a bed. Those early days were fraught with anxiety both for dog and owners and a degree of impatience too as he learned very quickly and often painfully the requirement to be house trained, though he made plenty of mistakes along the way. But he soon struck up a great friendship with both his and my parents and while dad had a degree in the art of teasing the young canine, Snoopy soon showed that he could handle anything thrown at him and on more than one occasion he bared his teeth and growled menacingly enough to convince my father that there was always a right time to stop such activities.And he loved to walk, tripping down the lane after either of them, usually at least ten or twenty yards behind with teeth chattering in that smiley sort of way that such dogs do and constant panting as if to say ' my legs are too short for this caper.'

Some time after he had arrived and was sufficiently adult, a second Jack Russell appeared. This one had beautiful brown markings and had clearly been well cared for in the past, but one day she just appeared around the house, with no explanation of whence she came or no intention of leaving. Though dad was less than impressed, mum took her in and fed her and before long she was part of the furniture, though she did seem to commute between our own house and that of the neighbours. Still, at least with mum providing the necessary nutrition, she felt that was enough to claim ownership of the little stray. Within months, however, the plot thickened, for Snoopy in his adolescent state had obviously taken a shine to his new housemate and it her increasingly rounded frame was the evidence that puppies might be forthcoming. And so we were proved right, but unfortunately she chose to nestle down in an outhouse belonging to the neighbours and when the offspring arrived at that location, we suddenly found ourselves no longer in charge of the litter. Whether they ever realised this is another matter, but within days mum had 'asked' for a puppy and was able to choose one from the litter that would join his father a few yards down the road. I don't know what happened to the rest of the dogs, whether they were sold or given away, but not long afterwards the little brown dog wandered home to mum and dad's and stayed there ever since. They called her Susie and her young son was christened Patch, always recognisable for his very long tail that seemed to wag at the slightest hint of affection shown towards him and together the little family made many walks down the lane towards the church, with mum and dad always left just a little behind but the young Patch full of energy and excitement, striding alongside his masters.

When mum and dad took ill a couple of years back, it was more than Snoopy could bear and he was clearly affected by their illnesses and subsequent passing, such had been their closeness for nearly fourteen years. HE seemed to lose any zest for life though there is no doubt that age was also taking its toll. Susie died last year and as the years passe, it became obvious that she was much older than we had thought and while the two male dogs still survive, there is always that feeling that they have lost their rightful owners and know that things will never be as they once were. Now many mornings and evenings, Snoopy can be found lying at our front door, waiting half expectantly for mum to emerge from our house as she used to do so often but knowing that it is only a dream inside his head.

But his dedication has taught me to be vigilant for the return of our Lord who has promised to return to earth. He says 'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.' And the importance of being ready is underlined in Mark's gospel when Jesus says 'No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.' Jesus' parable in Matthew 25 about ten virgins preparing to meet the bridegroom is a clear indication that those who are not ready for His return will not only be disowned but also excluded from the kingdom He has prepared. Are you waiting at the Master's door or living life as if He has gone for ever? And what if it were today?