Dog Friday
by
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One wet Friday afternoon, walking along a lonely country lane was a rather tired black and white young dog. His long floppy ears were all dripping wet and his little sad eyes looked mournful and hungry.
He wandered under a large old oak tree for shelter. He lay down feeling very cold and knowing his life was dull and feeling quite sorry for himself he let tears fall upon his nose, crying out: “just because I'm not very clever, no-one loves me or wants me!”
Then he heard a voice coming from what seemed like the top of the old oak tree. He looked up, but could not see anyone. The voice became louder and said: "You! My little sad doggie, don't give up on life so easily and with so little fight. Look - and you will find what you are looking for.”
The little dog looked up: "Who are you?” he asked. "I am the Bark Angel”, answered the voice. The little dog replied: "I have no-one, no home - I have nothing!” "But,” said the Bark Angel, “You have a life!” The dog thought for a moment, then he said: "I have no-one to share it with.” "Ah,” said the Bark Angel. “What if I give you something that you can help others with?” "Yes please!” replied the dog. “But what” With a soft secret whisper the Bark Angel said: "Listen . . . . I will give you magic ears, so that when you want to do something good for someone who's been kind to you, or needs help in some way, all you have to do is make a wish and waggle your ears three times! Then whatever you want to happen will happen!” "Wow!” said the dog - bow-wow! You really mean that?” "Yes!” said the Bark Angel. “Now get up and carry on with your journey - and remember - I will be watching over you.”
The little dog suddenly felt warm and ready to fight against the wind and rain. He shouted up to the tree tops. “Thank you, Bark Angel - thank you!” and off he trotted along the lane, the wind and rain still falling on his small body. But now he felt he had something to live for.
It was getting dark, when a small blue family car with its headlights on came towards him. Two children were sitting in the back, mum and dad were sitting in the front. The children, Sue and Peter (Sue was ten, Peter was a year older) were both quite tired after what they thought had been a boring visit to Aunt Liz's. Aunt Liz thought that the children should be seen and not heard. Peter shouted. “Daddy, watch out! There's a little dog in the road.” Dad braked quickly, and the car came to a sudden halt. Sue cried: "Oh look, the poor thing is soaking wet and out here by itself. How sad.” "Oh, George, we must take it into town. We can't leave it out here in this weather - it will get poorly.” "You're right, Mary,” said George.
He got out of the car and called out “Come here boy”. The dog came running up to him wagging its tail. George picked him up in his arms and put him in the back of the car with Sue and Peter who had a large towel on the back seat, ready to rub him down.
"What lovely brown eyes he has,” said Sue. "Can we keep him?” asked Peter. “I would give up half of my pocket money if we could.” "So would I,” said Sue quickly. “Please . . . . Please . . . .” she added.
George gave a long sigh and turned to his wife. "If your mother agrees and you promise to look after him.” "It would be nice for the children to have a pet,” said Mary, "O.K., we'll keep him,” said George. "Thank you Dad”, said the children. "What should we call him?” Sue said “Let's call him Rex!” Peter said “No, everybody calls their dog Rex. Let's call him Rover.” "No,” shouted Sue. “That's an awful name.” Mary turned to the children. "Stop fighting you two children,” she said, and George said: "Now listen, I'll decide to stop any further fighting. He waited for a while, and then he said: "I know - let's call him Friday. Today is Friday, today we found him.” "Just like Robinson Crusoe's Friday!” shouted both Sue and Peter at the same time. "That's a super idea. Nobody else's dog is called Friday.”
The dog - Friday - had listened to all this with his heart thumping, and just a small tear in his eye, and now he looked up to the clouds and barked softly. “Thank you, Bark Angel”, thank you . . . .”
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About the Book
A poor little dog, lost in the countryside, sheltered from the rain under an old oak tree. When an angel called “Barkangel” called out to him from above. Barkangel gives “Dog Friday” magic ears, to help him find a new life. A family out for a drive in their car find Dog Friday all wet under the tree. The family fall in love with Dog Friday and take him home and adopt him. Soon Dog Friday meets lots of new friends, both animals and humans and he is happy with his new life. Then his adventures begin, when he starts using his new powers, his magic ears, to help his new friends when they are in danger. Dog Friday feels so content with his new life and to be able to help others. Wow Bow wow.
About the Author
John Hamilton, a company director, has worked in the field of commercial and retail stationery for over 40 years. Born in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, in 1945. He was raised in a farming community, amongst stables & horses and has a passion for the racehorse, he is also very fond of domestic cats and dogs. When growing up he was taught “a dog is a man's best friend” as his uncle raised gun dogs that showed a loved dog is a must for a family to enjoy, for it is loyal, loving, trusting and always faithful to its dedicated owner. The family then moved to Newcastle upon Tyne when he was still a child. He then moved south and hit London in the swinging 60's to start his career. In the naughties he moved away from London, seeking the tranquillity of the countryside once again and moved to East Sussex. These writings are a culmination of years spent pondering about his childhood and passion for animals, as he prepares for his retirement. The passion for children's novels was stimulated by Francis, who is an acclaimed puppeteer, whom John worked with in the 80's.