Its Valentine’s so I thought it might be an appropriate time to share the love story behind the storybook so to speak. Of course, our beloved pets were involved and played a key role throughout.

Things happen for a reason. I’ve always believed that people and animals are in our life for a reason and those who are meant to be there and in your heart forever will find a way to stay.

For as long as I can remember I have always loved animals. I love people who wholeheartedly love animals too. My husband, Richard and I were lucky enough to have pets growing up in our respective homes. Initially, we met and got together because of our dogs. We were teenagers, holidaying with our families in Pembrokeshire. Richard’s dog Sumo was a charismatic character and romanced our Lucy. They were inexplicably close, a unique couple for sure. Sumo was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Lucy a Golden Retriever.

We kept in touch by letter and telephone (no mobile phones back then) and years later when we were old enough to drive; Richard came to visit me in Cheshire on his motorbike. An old romance was rekindled and we soon became a couple and our discerning little matchmakers were delighted as we alternated between our family homes in Cheshire and South Wales. Bit like a nineties Gavin and Stacey some now say!

Our pets instigated the path to true love and to Dexter, who further predetermined destiny and totally transformed our lives. Recently, my debut book ‘Dexter’s Diary’ that I wrote to honour our beautiful boy with a fitting tribute became a bestseller within hours of release, dubbed “the book that YOUR pets have been waiting for you to read.”

Dolittle is showing in cinemas across the country right now, I haven’t seen this myself, but I read that Robert Downey Jr Welsh accent is getting some flack.  Now let’s think about this film that has been reproduced several times. Behind the Hollywood glamorisation, the drama and facade there is substance, belief in this tale. There is always some truth in every dramatisation and let’s face it who wouldn’t want to know what thoughts actually go through the mind of their pets!?

In ‘Dexter’s Diary’ which celebrates the unbreakable bond that I have with my brave and beloved Dalmatian Dexter, I share our heart-warming story. Long-term debilitating illness changed our lives, but through the ups and downs and the highs and lows of our life together I found salvation, and the gift of being able to communicate with animals whilst taking care of my beloved, four legged best friend. This concept is sensitively and sensibly introduced and with scenarios that all animal lovers can relate to.

Dexter’s captivating, thought-provoking and inspiring true love story wholeheartedly demonstrates the lasting and transformative impact of our pets and my goodness, don’t we have so much to learn from them! Animals are incredible, they love us unconditionally and we don’t need the big screen to demonstrate that. Animals never judge us; they love us for who we are..if only more people were like Animals …Valentine’s would be epic!

With much love to all your fur family…

Joanne xx

Joanne Jarvis Author of Dexter’s Diary www.jjangels.co.uk