In the Doghouse for Canine Reference

In Patrick Mott’s Kids on Film review of “The Mask” (OC Live!, Aug. 11), he states: “Diminutive Milo, Stanley’s pet (who ought to have ‘The Wonder Dog’ appended to his name), finds the mask, shoves his lovable beagle/mutt face into it and turns into the Ah-nold of the canine set.”

While Mott was properly appreciative of Milo’s talents, his reference to the dog’s “beagle/mutt face” is entirely off base. In real life Milo is Max, a purebred Jack Russell terrier, a breed known all over the world as particularly lively, intelligent and appealing.

As one of the thousands who belong to the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, I am offended by Mott’s obviously ignorant remark. The Jack Russell terrier is a sturdy little working terrier of a type created and developed in the early 19th Century by the Rev. John Russell, widely known as Parson Jack.

This has truly been the year of the Jack Russell. Max’s counterpart, Eddie (in reality, Moose), stars on the TV series “Frasier.” JRs also appear in countless TV commercials.

My own Jack Russell terrier is Cheeky, and Mr. Mott can expect to hear from her agent if he makes any further inappropriate references to “beagle/mutt faces.”

PEGGY PHILLIPS BUCCI, Monarch Beach