A Loving Homage to Little Nipper by Bob Cotton

A Jack Russell crossed with a Whippet, and I called him Nipper, because it was an Isle of Wight name and ‘Nobby’ had already been taken by our other slightly bigger, but still little on the huge scale of things, still small in this incredibly vast universe, a Podengo-piccolo. They tolerated each other, but never really cuddled-up together and cuddling-up was Nipper’s main strategy for survival and emotional stability at Redoubt House. Nipper quickly fell in love with Laurence, and we all fell in love with him. He had the grace of a whippet, the character of a Jack Russell, and he loved his several dog-beds that fitted him so snuggly - under the easel in the studio, by the armchairs and the sofa in our front room, and under the chest-of-drawers in our bedroom. He also jumped into our double-bed and succeeded in wrapping himself quick as a flash in duvet and bedcover to keep us company on dark winter nights. We all loved him, and he’ll live for ever in our hearts and minds. His canine soul cuddled for ever in our loving memories. Sleep tight little dog. 

And - you really don't know what you've got until you lose it - the lesson of his little life lives on in the gap he's left. Sure cuddling-up was what he did best - and that's what we miss most - his ubiquitous love was pervasive... dream on little one, we'll remember you for ever...