Tales of an eight-paw, four-ear and two-tail package

Image of a Jack Russell terrier from wikipedia.

WHEN Wellington Point couple Anne and Chris Finnegan were preparing late last year to move to acreage at Sheldon, their family members wanted to mark the occasion with a special gift.
The Finnegans had long commiserated over having to leave their beloved Jack Russell terriers behind in South Africa about six years ago.
"It really broke my heart that they were too old to come with us," Anne says. "I felt that at nine and 11 years old they would not do well spending a long time in quarantine.
"We found homes for them but they had to be split up."
The ‘logical’ gift last Christmas was an eight-paw, four-ear and two-tail package that could deserve the term, Jack Russell Twin Pack.

TWO-year-old Pippa and her three-year-old boyfriend, Jack, however, have been a bit like Bonnie and Clyde since they settled at Sheldon.
Jack is good at busting out of jail and, with his loyal companion in tow, heading into the bush. They have kept their noses clean of major trouble but Anne, a gentle grandmother of three lovely little girls living at Capalaba, admits she is no Elliott Ness when it comes to chasing escapees.
"The dogs just like exploring but they are so independent and such loving little creatures," Anne says.
The tension became too much this month, and Anne advertised the dogs in our Classifieds.
While Anne and Chris waited for the response they thought they should improve security around their patio so the dogs would be at home to receive visitors.

IF this was a classic "second thought", the third was "Let’s fence the property" and the fourth, "We’ll keep the dogs because they are such great buddies."
The couple now has started obedience training with the dogs.
Anne and Chris fell in love with Jack Russells during their 12 years in South Africa together. Anne grew up in the Cape Town district, with a life in horses, and qualified as a riding instructor. After she met Irish-born Chris they bred show and hunting horses in Ireland.
Anne has another reason, apart from the terrific terriers, for fencing at Sheldon.
The acreage has brought the opportunity for her to introduce her granddaughters to horses.
So while you are reading this, the Finnegans may be scanning the fencing and livestock columns in our Classifieds.

Thanks for joining me to meet the great people and other creatures in the marvellous community of classified advertising. This story has appeared in The Redland Times, Cleveland, Redland City, Queensland, Australia.