Whitewebbs dog-walker brings springer spaniel's adventures to life

Andrew Hull has published a children’s book based around pet pooch Barney and his walks across Whitewebbs

Andrew Hull and Lord Barney with his new book — Andrew Hull (right) and Lord Barney (left) with their new book

After thinking long and hard about getting a dog, Barney the springer spaniel joined me and my wife Jan – and our lives have changed dramatically.

I now walk four to six miles a day!

Understanding Barney’s behaviour is fascinating, amusing, and often shocking. I wondered what Barney would say if he could talk. I would have conversations with Jan pretending to be Barney, and it was then I decided to write a children’s book based on our adventures.

I wanted the book to be humorous, with a few facts, and something children would enjoy. But as well as an editor, I also needed to find an illustrator.

I walk around Whitewebbs Park every day and often pop into the café for a coffee, where I bumped into Hajer Djoudi, who was just finishing her shift, carrying a large sketch pad. I asked what she had been doing, and Hajer showed me a drawing of a dog, which I instantly recognised from her drawing.

I asked Hajer if she would like to illustrate my book, The Adventures of Lord Barney. Fortunately, Hajer accepted! She has great talent and is often now commissioned to draw people’s pets.

Thank heavens for people like Sean Wilkinson and the Guardians of Whitewebbs who have saved this great park. Barney loves the ancient woods, where we walk past Ranger’s grave and salute. We would often visit Whitewebbs twice a day and then pop into the Rose and Crown Pub for a pint, where Barney would meet Max, a chocolate Labrador who had also popped in for a pint.

We plan to do a series of books, and the second book has already been accepted by two publishing houses. Called The Further Adventures of Lord Barney, it will tell the story of his first Christmas and how Barney nearly drowned in the river at Whitewebbs Park, as well as meeting his new friends Ziggy and Milo. A third book will be about his first holiday in Devon.

In Lord Barney’s words: “Enjoy The Adventures of Lord Barney. Follow my life, and all in my own words. I believe I am a lord, because I now own my own home, I have the use of two cars, both of which are chauffer driven. I have all my meals served to me, I play most of the day and snooze the rest. I have never worked, plus I have weekends off!”

Andrew and Hajer will be doing a book signing on Thursday, 29^th October at Whitewebbs Café, from 10.30am, and then again at the Rose and Crown Pub at 3pm on the same day. For more information and to order a copy of The Adventures of Lord Barney:
Visit pegasuspublishers.com/book/the-adventures-of-lord-barney

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