When a stray mutt is rescued from the Pound he never imagines he’s destined for celebrity! That’s REALITY BARKS, my first Rescue Dog’s Funny Story.
When he was called Barney, Elliott was a scruffy country dog from Bathurst. He’s a bit secretive about how he got lost. Dogs live ‘in the moment’ he will tell you. So the mutt begins his story in Barranyup Pound, somewhere hot and dusty way out west. His life hangs in the balance. All his hopes and fears about whether he’ll be rescued in time are the focus of that moment. Imagine his relief when he’s rescued by not one, but two couples. Now he’s not only a DINK dog, he’s a Timeshare dog, with four Metro owners, living with all the comforts that the Sydney Harbour-side suburbs lifestyle affords. Even smart beachside cafes that welcome dogs, and snooty dog-grooming salons.
What’s more astounding to Elliott is how he morphs from tatty mutt to being a TV Megastar. Elliott’s pedigree purebred neighbours still look down their canine noses at him. Despite his luxurious surroundings, he’s fed disgusting muck called BIFFO CHUNKY-YUMS because he’s been set-up to do the TV ad for the brand. Yes, it’s all a plot!
What hasn’t changed is his crazy sense of humour. Reality Barks! Elliott tells his story in his own words – his sarcastic take on his four new owners; his nagging fear of being sent back to the Pound; his secret ability to understand everything that’s said to him; to read auras; to learn how to tell lies, and lots, lots more.
A Look Behind The Scenes
I used to take my dogs to Primrose Park, which is the setting for one of the more outlandish, funny scenes in the story. Instigated by Elliott, four dogs team up to turn the tables on their Jog-A-Dog tormentor, the fitness fanatic dog-exerciser Janet Atkins.
One of my favourite scenes is Elliott’s screen test for the TV commercial, when he has to be put up onto a box, or as they’re called a ‘riser’, because his leading lady-dog is taller than he is. Let’s just say that Elliott is not camera-shy!
If you like dog stories with a twist, high jinks comedy, and tales of human greed and manipulation, then you’ll love how Elliott morphs from Mutt to Mega-Star .
Elliott says:
‘For a dog, there are few forbidden pleasures to match luxuriating in the plushy nestle of their owners’ dirty and discarded, but still rather attractively smelly, underwear.
