When first-time children’s author Sandra Ruddle moved to the city with her husband and golden retriever Lockie, she didn’t realise the adventures awaiting a dog and her devoted owner.
The result is a delightful just-released children’s book, Lockie The Famous City Dog, which outlines Lockie’s walks around Perth with owner Joan, the attention she receives and the wonderful interaction she gets from all manner of people heading to work or enjoying Perth’s delights.
How did the book evolve?
“Well, we moved into the city five years ago and I noticed very quickly when I was walking Lockie that people were wanting to stop and pat her,” Sandra says.
“They were saying things like, ‘Oh, what a lovely dog,’ and similar comments and I found their reaction so different to the suburbs.
“You don’t see that many dogs in the city, which is a bit of a novelty. Apart from local people, there are a lot of tourists and, I think, they miss their dog at home and they tell a little story about their dog.”
Sandra, a former home economics teacher with two adult children and five grandchildren, says the book idea transpired when she experienced so many encounters with people while walking Lockie.
“I thought maybe I can do something with a book about a big dog in the city, about Lockie a 11-year-old girl with a boy’s name. I thought about the different places I had taken Lockie for a walk and the fact she likes to roll on grass which people would comment about.
“Then one day some people joined Lockie rolling on grass. There was a television news segment that night showing people with Lockie. Then people called the station and said: ‘I’ve seen that dog in the city’.
”The story unfolds with a quest through the city with a reporter following where Lockie has been, past landmarks like London Court and Piccadilly Arcade.
”Lockie took to city life well, Perth is not a concrete jungle, there are so many parks, Stirling Gardens and along the river which Lockie enjoys.”
Sandra says she took up the challenge to write a book after reading about the Society of Women Writers WA several years ago in Have
a Go News. “It mentioned they were running writing workshops and I decided to have a go.
“Two workshops later I gained the confidence to write a children’s book with the help of wonderfully talented local artist Rina Bhabra who has faithfully captured the many moods of Lockie.”
Lockie has her own Instagram and Facebook page.
“I take Lockie somewhere different each day and I have posted pictures of her daily since February.
”It’s a great way of also showing some of the special places around the city.”
Sandra’s book was launched at the State Library of WA last month. She says she has always had dogs in her family, bringing much joy to her life.
Lockie The Famous City Dog (Linellen Press) sells for $25 hardcover and $15 softcover. Order via email: lockiethefamouscitydog@outlook.com.
