Parents are sometimes alarmed when they learn Howick Primary has a dog called Rambo. It's hard not to picture your child being ripped limb from limb by a slavering beast of an animal, feasting on tender young humans for lunch. That's until visitors meet him. Rambo is a chihuahua. Apop-eyed, placid little urchin, 15cm tall from the tips of his delicate toes to the points of his silky ears. He wears a floppy hat. Rambo is the school mascot, officially belonging to property manager Theresa Savidan, but really to the students. Every birthday he gets a cake, every day the children wave goodbye to him at the gate, and more often than not he'll be sunning himself in the gardens or curled up on the secretary's lap as she types. ''He really is absolutely ruined,'' says mum Theresa fondly. He's so much part of the school that Theresa made him his very own school uniform. It's just one of about 10 different outfits Rambo steps out in, from winter woollies to chic little ski outfits. But he's no mere pretty face. Rambo works from 7.30am till 3pm, acting as a furry form of comfort for new students, or for those in need of cheering up. He happily lets them carry him around like ''a little sack of potatoes'', says Theresa. ''I think because he's little they relate better to him.'' Parents also say he's a great introduction to animals for children who don't have pets at home. Children sometimes do projects on Rambo, and if there's a new teacher at the school, he often stands outside their classroom and barks until they prove themselves. Students' security and comfort is all in a day's work for the little chihuahua. Acting in school events is another sideline of Rambo's. Last Christmas he played Santa Claws, and for the Commonwealth Games parade at Howick Primary, he stood in for the Queen's corgi. Rambo's name does come from the Sylvester Stallone movie, given him by Theresa's young son, but to many of the students he's ''Rainbow''. It's both easier to pronounce and a sign of how much they love him. ''So do the staff!'' says Theresa. - By Andrea Jutson
