A Christmas Miracle

It was Christmas Eve and a time for miracles. A lost Westie walking through exactly the right front door at the right time to bring festive cheer and wonder.

Back in July we said goodbye to Webster, my brother's Westie of 16 years. Whenever I'd call him a daft, scruffy little mongrel he'd lick my hand or nose to say 'you're the daftie and I know you don't mean it'. He was a lovely little thing, great fun and a greater poseur judging by all the photos. We were talking about him the previous night in The Jingling Gate pub outside Newcastle.

So, this afternoon, Derek & Tracy were about to go out, the front door was open and in walked a little Westie with no collar... They called the police but no-one had reported him as lost. Derek rang me while out shopping with Dad to tell us and invite us over to see him. I received a text that simply said, 'A westie has walked into our house'. Dad didn't believe me and thought Derek had picked him up from the dog pound (that they'd visited that morning to drop off some food). I believed, of course.

Half an hour later we were still talking about him while shopping in Asda. Me and Dad were discussing how he'd turned up at Derek's house - maybe he followed one of Webbie's old trails? - when I get another call to say that the dog's owners had contacted the police and been round to pick him up and gave D&T two bottles of wine as a thank you. He's called Jimmy and it seems like his parents are nice. So all's well that ends well.

This is the first Christmas without Webbie and it's a lovely thing to happen, bringing a smile to our faces and a bit of moisture to the eye. Why did the dog choose that particular front door to walk through? Perhaps it was a Christmas message from little Webbie to his parents?

Miracles do happen at Christmas.