A Girl Called Fred

A Girl Called Fred is the beautifully written tale of Fred, a female Yorkshire terrier, and her first years with a new family. Set in the halcyon days of the seventies, this narrative brings back memories of when the village pub was where good beer and conversation flowed and smoking was allowed inside. Milk was delivered to the doorstep and coal, kept in bunkers, was burnt on open fires where bread and chestnuts could be toasted...

In 1975, at the age of six, Fred joins the Willgoose family and brings love, companionship and joy, mixed with humour and occasional sadness to Jean, Roger and Stephen. To their surprise, Fred betrays her ratting ancestry with most unladylike assaults on various cats, dogs and people who stamp their feet – especially eighteen-stone gentlemen! But her strength of character shows through when she becomes the victim of a road accident which causes great distress to her loving family. Stephen often shows a maturity beyond his years while Roger, with good humour, patience and occasional over-indulgence in the local pub, endures and describes some quite hilarious experiences.

Anyone who has ever loved a dog will enjoy A Girl Called Fred. Animal lovers especially will find the account of Fred's life entertaining, while the narrative will appeal to fans of humorous fiction. Author Roger was an avid reader and was inspired by the late Henry Rider Haggard and Damon Runyon.