Life through the eyes of a pet dog- Southwold woman writes book from the view of loving Worzel

Cath Pickles has now written a book through the eyes of her pet dog. Pictures: Nick Butcher (Image: (C) Archant 2015)

Catherine Pickles lives in Southwold, and adopted Worzel when his previous owner realised the dog needed to be in a home without small children.

Mrs Pickles started a blog to keep his first family updated with Worzel's progress, but at the same time she rediscovered a passion for writing.

'In many ways I have an easier time than most family carers,' she said.

'My marriage is strong and my wider family is supportive, but it's difficult not to become defined as my daughter's carer and to lose my own identity.

'Working outside the home isn't feasible for me, so finding something I could do in the odd minutes of free time I can grab, often ridiculously late at night, has kept me sane and given me an identity and a voice beyond that of a carer.'

She reached the finals of the UK Blog Awards with tales of Worzel's antics and decided to expand it into a book.

Worzel Wooface - My Quite Very Actual Book is a fly on the wall account of the lurcher's life as part of the family, entirely told from his point of view.

Mrs Pickles, 45, said: 'Worzel has a way of talking which is unique to him.

'Over the past few months, I've become so absorbed in creating Worzel's book that speaking, and especially typing, in conventional English has become a real challenge.

'Friends and family have given up correcting me!

'Worzel is hysterical and he gives me all the inspiration I could ever need.

'It's extremely rare for a day to pass without him doing something that makes me laugh, or even better from a writing point of view, makes me look utterly ridiculous in public.'

It may have started off as a way of keeping Worzel's last owners up to date, but has now flourished into something much more, not just for Mrs Pickles, but for her whole family.

'Writing the book has helped my daughter as well,' she said. 'The guilt and frustration associated with needing care and caring can be difficult emotions to manage, but writing about Worzel has taken some of that pressure away from our relationship.

'I've got something else to think about and she is helping me with ideas and proof reading.

'Life feels more balanced.'

Worzel Wooface -My Quite Very Actual Book is available now to buy from Amazon and can also be downloaded as a Kindle e-book.

Some of the profits are being donated to Hounds First Sighthound Rescue.

You can keep up to date with Worzel by following his blog, www.facebook.com/Worzelthelurcher.