Pet dogs Hamley and Rufus help out with Aylsham

Rev Patrick Coghlan and his dogs, left, Rufus and Hamley. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Alex Hurrell, Reporter Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:00 AM

A pair of much-loved pet pooches have helped a north Norfolk clergyman and author write his latest religious book.

Rev Patrick Coghlan and his dogs, left, Rufus and Hamley. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Rev Patrick Coghlan's 25th work, The Destination is in Sight, is about the Christian journey, held together with anecdotes about walking his dogs, Cockapoo pup Hamley and 12-year-old Rufus, a long-haired Dachshund.

Mr Coghlan, 58, who is minister of Worstead Baptist Church and chaplain to the Aylsham Care Trust, said different sections in the book, which looks at extracts from the Gospel of John, with particular reference to the 'End Time' - before the second coming of Christ - were linked by Hamley and Rufus.

'Taking up John's analogy of the Christian journey being like a journey on foot, the book is hung on a framework of analogies drawn from dog walking,' said Mr Coghlan.

In one example, he writes: 'Where we go for our walks varies: and there are times when the plan has to be changed pretty well instantaneously. Sometimes the planned route is too muddy; so a different route has to be taken. Sometimes all the dog walkers in the area appear to have chosen an identical route; so to avoid the rush and bustle, we make a hasty change of direction. Sometimes it is too hot to go far; so a shorter option is chosen.

'I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9, which says: 'In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.'

Mr Coghlan, of Charles Ewing Close, Aylsham, said the paperback book, published by Matthew James Publishing Ltd, should be on sale before Easter in outlets which he hoped would include Norwich Christian resource centre, the Forget Me Not Café, on Redwell Street.

His other published works include Christian teaching materials, stories for children, and books on prayer, spirituality and the miracles of Jesus.