Sparky Had Never Sat Still This Long, but the Tree Lights Did It
With its chin lifted and one dark eye shining, a tricolor Jack Russell Terrier puppy looks up toward a tree full of tiny lights. Its coat is mostly white with tan ears and black patches around the eyes, and its whiskery muzzle points upward. The lights sparkle above like stars, and the room around it is soft and warm, with a wicker basket, a wooden floor, a gray rug, and a chunky blanket on the couch.
Jack Russells are lively, bright, and always on the move, so a puppy sitting this still is a small miracle. They were bred for hunting, which gives them lots of energy, a strong chase instinct, and a love of problem-solving. They do best with daily exercise, training games, and puzzle toys to keep their minds busy. A holiday tree is a new and exciting object, so teach a young terrier to leave ornaments alone and keep lights, cords, and glass baubles well out of reach.
This hopeful pup, perhaps named Sparky, seems to be searching the branches for something. Maybe it is a twinkle that moved, or an ornament that swayed. Whatever it is, the puppy is fully focused, and for once the whole room is quiet. A few seconds of stillness from a terrier is a rare and precious holiday gift, and the glow of the tree makes it all the more magical.
