25 SEPTEMBER 1999, Page 42

Canine lore

From Lord Grantley Sir: What a pity that the late Monsignor Alfred Gilbey was not around to explain to Alan Clark the implications of St Thomas Aquinas's views on dogs which, according to Robbie Millen Marking dogma', 18 September), caused Mr Clark to reject reception into the Roman Catholic Church.

Monsignor Gilbey often told the story of an elderly lady who insisted that she (like Mr Clark) could not be happy in Heaven without her dog, and desired reassurance contrary to the teachings of the Angelic Doctor. The Monsignor replied: 'Heaven is a state of perfect happiness. If perfect hap- piness, for you, means being reunited with your dog, you will be reunited.' This was good enough for the old lady and would, I imagine, have satisfied Mr Clark.

Grantley

8 Halsey Street, London SW3