This is a biography of a very special dog. It was written just as Marley and Me was published which served to encourage the author to complete the very painful story of the life and death of a much loved pet. But as he did so a number of spooky coincidences became evident. The dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, amongst the breeds that many consider aggressive and dangerous. This dog showed none of those traits. He was genuine, reliable and totally loyal. But he did have one characteristic which made him stand out from the rest. His coat colour was blue. Within the breed, this pigment is,...

When it comes to poetry I am old fashioned. I was taught that poetry had metre, construction and above all, rhymes. But I like to make my poetry entertaining and cheerful and I love writing longer verses which tell a story. A number are included in this book, so different to my last, 'Please Remain Seated', a collection of more than 400 four line clerihews, thoughtful, critical and amusing anecdotes in verse. I find inspiration in Dorothy Parker, Benjamin Zephaniah and Pam Ayres, so don't expect Milton or Keats. Hope you find some joy, gentle inspiration or consolation, a smile and pleasant...