Charley - A true friend

On the last Saturday in March we were shocked by a fatal heart attack to Charley  our precious Jack Russell at the age of eleven.    He had spent the morning with me at the weekly market in Beverley.    He was his usual self and  enjoyed meeting all our human and canine friends.   When we went home Jane declined to go to the library with me for lunch.   She had something to do on the computer and wished me to leave Charley  with her.   I left the back door open so that he could go out on the lawn when he wished.   When I returned he was not in the house and  Jane went to call him in.
  She was awfully shocked  and burst into tears on finding him dead under a tree.
     I tried to console her by saying he could not have suffered..  I went to fetch a spade but she found one before I did and  insisted on doing the depressing digging.
Charley had been popular with all who knew him and we are still receiving expressions of sympathy over our loss.   He was the closest to us of all the wonderful dogs whose company we had enjoyed - maybe because in retirement we always had time for him.  I remember the first Jack Russell we had in 1947.    We have since had eleven, and every one was a truly honest and loyal friend.   I often have reason to wish why more of us cannot behave as well as the great majority of the dogs we have known.
Many people prefer a Jack Russell to pedigree breeds of dog because the Jack Russell is not inbred the way many pedigree breeds are.

                During the first twenty four hours of life without Charley I never considered replacing him.   The thought seemed unreal.  I also wanted time to discuss with Jane how we could transfer the love we had for Charley to a stranger.    If I did think of  having another I would favour one who moved at our own speed.