BLOT the adventurous Jack Russell celebrated his 17th birthday on Valentine's Day - and is lucky to have survived this long as he has been hit several times by cars.

One of his claims to fame is that local poet Neville Fox featured him in the Thirsk Times when he chronicled local events and characters.

Mr Fox first came across Blot when he saw him practising his football techniques outside his owner's printing works in Chapel Street. The poem, Footballer of the Year, appeared in the first edition of the Thirsk Times.

Blot was once accidentally run over by a company representative who called at Thornton's Printers, and was dragged along by his lead. He never forgot this painful escapade and, much to owner John Thornton's amusement, the cheeky Jack Russell remembered the representative when he called a few months later, and relieved himself in his briefcase!

The talented Lynn Jones has now painted an oil portrait of Blot, to commemorate his birthday. Her husband's vehicle also had a brush with him.

The Jack Russell's fame has spread far and wide, and he looks forward to getting many Christmas cards. He is now almost completely deaf and blind, but still has that glint in his eye.