I am delighted to welcome Dougal Stephenson to the blog
today following the launch on Thursday of his book, Dougal’s Diary.
I wouldn’t
want to suggest that you are ever anything less than beautifully turned out,
but some are saying this is the ultimate in shaggy stories. Are you offended by
these comments?
I am quite delighted by the expression. It’s good to know
someone gets my dress sense. Now, the perfect season for what I call ‘my dinner
and dance’ or ‘booted and suited-look’; black mud stuck to face, neck, feet and
legs.
What prompted
you to write your diary? Don’t tell me you were bored because the boss wouldn’t
take you for a walk!
Boredom no! Desperation, yes! No satin cushions to sleep
on, no Xmas stocking filled with sugar mice. Thin as a whistle and not one
single fry-up in a transport café. Writing my diary saved my sanity.
Oh you mean the forgotten meal times. The hours enduring
London transport. Even baths without
aromatherapy oils or hair dryer, so the smell of wet fur lingers for days. Despite all, we are one, each other’s
constant companion. I can read her mind. I often wish I couldn’t. Have I become
more human? Has she turned more dog?
Do you feel
you landed on your paws when you moved from Margate to London?
On good day yes. On bad days, such as having the snip, or
going to puppy classes. No with a capital N.
Truly, and you
know you can be honest with me, how did you feel when you had another
four-legged friend foisted upon you?
That green-eyed monster struck. I hit rock bottom, tried contacting
the Queen to see if she had space on her bed for another. Never heard a dickie
bird. Perhaps I got the post code wrong. Maybe the Corgis ate my letter.
And, finally,
do you plan to continue with your diary or are you moving on to other things?
Dogs are creatures of habit, so I shall do it privately. I
considered moving to poetry. But after
“To jump or not to jump.”
I
wandered lonesome as a lemming
fearful
dreams of clifftops stemming
I realised my talents lay in prose, not verse.
Right now I'm in communication with the One Show. Since Chris Evan's departure they've been searching for a charismatic presenter. Paws crossed
Right now I'm in communication with the One Show. Since Chris Evan's departure they've been searching for a charismatic presenter. Paws crossed
It may be
tactful if you could supply some information here about the boss – just so she
doesn’t feel left out
Okay, if I have to…
Sarah Stephenson joined the Bristol School of Dancing aged
seven. She spent much of her childhood performing in prisons, theatres, old
people’s homes and the Grand Palais, in Paris. Later she trained as an actress,
working with Mike Leigh and other distinguished directors. When the children
arrived she trained as a Chef, and when they’d finally flown the nest, catered
in Europe, Britain and the United States, giving private dinner parties. When
she’s not writing, Sarah still works as a cook.
She
looks perfectly normal to me. Guess you didn’t do so badly after all.
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