Billy is in the acknowledgements section of my new book. He really has helped! xxx

Dog blog

My boy Billypop, he makes my heart go giddy-up! Billy will be 2 years old at the end of this month. And he has brought us the most enormous pleasure. We love him so much Now we're looking to find him a wife because he really should breed. He is such a lovely doggy in so many ways.

Billy in the snow

Billy is a dog who really knows how to live in the moment. And he just loves the snow. After a wonderful long walk yesterday, with three other doggy pals, he came home with impacted ice on his paws. I filled a saucepan with warm water, and paw by paw, we defrosted him. He looked a little bemused at this new trick, but hey, he was going to enjoy it anyway. As we know it's not what happens to you in life, it's how we deal with it that counts!

Billy and Christmas

Billy has the Christmas message alright - unconditional love. But he's just been told off for eating some of the Christmas decorations...And that was after noshing two or three of the sausages I got at the Christmas fair in Beaminster. Billy is 17 months old now but clearly is still a puppy. We went to see my friend Maxine, a fab artist, and her latest work. Billy somehow rubbed his tail across a still wet painting...It must be worth a million now! xxx

Soggy doggy

With that luscious black curly coat... poor young Billy sure soaks up the rain. Another wonderful thing about doggies, though, is that they get you out, whatever the weather. And he's so cheerful - just like mum, of course! He is so nice to everyone - even those who aren't particularly fond of dogs. He seems to accept everyone unconditionally. Although he did growl at a little boy on a scooter. Extremely unusual. It must have been the mode of transport that upset him. Billy obviously has standards! In fact he hates to see me doing housework, good chap. Whenever I get the Hoover out, or a broom, or a dustpan and brush, he gets very cross indeed and tackles them head on. Wonder what he would be like if anyone else in the flat used such things? Of course we may never find out...

Slippers been Billied

Turned my back for a second and the slippers have been well and truly Billied. Great lumps chewed out of them.

Never mind, I got to see Tamara Drewe at the Gala showing in Bridport. The reserve ticket came up trumps. Got all nicely settled in and then asked the woman next to me to save my seat while I went to the loo. 'Guard it with your life!' I pleaded. When I returned she had her hand on that seat very protectively. 'Thank you so much!' I said gratefully.

The film then started and what a jolly romp it is with its beautiful scenery in more ways than one. That Luke Evans is a bit of alright...

I was exhausted, though, having been through the trauma of having my handbag stolen earlier in the week but I managed to keep my eyes open throughout. I hope.

We all clapped like mad when the film finished. And then the nice woman next to me got up and went onto the stage. It was Posy Simmonds herself! Well, well, well. What a star!

Back to Billy now. He is snoozing peacefully having just come back from a lovely walk which included jumping into many streams. I will have to work out how to get his photograph onto this blog...