Book inspired by a dog’s life
FURLOUGHED SALESMAN PUTS TIME TO GOOD USE BY WRITING NOVEL
A COUNTY man put his lockdown furlough time to good use by writing his first book.
Mark Dilley, who was furloughed from his full-time sales job, penned “It’s me, Wilson, The Rescue Greyhound”, which tells the story through the hound’s own eyes of being rescued by new owners, moving into a domestic home and enjoying his new life beyond the racetrack.
Part of the profits will be donated to charity.
Mark, from Diseworth, said the idea sprang out of lockdown.
“I had a friend who had fallen on hard times, so my wife and I sent him a couple of food parcels, which were well received,” he said.
“He wrote back to us to show his appreciation and he wrote to our dog also – and this prompted me to reply as ‘Wilson, the dog’ – this is what lockdown does to you!
“It was then that I had a story developing and continued during what is now eight months of furlough to add a few paragraphs each day. I then researched outlets for self publishing for what I thought was an interesting idea, in actually telling the story as the dog would see it.
“My previous experience of storytelling is virtually non-existent, apart from maybe a few poems, but with time on my hands when the summer had drifted away it seemed like a perfect opportunity to give myself a new challenge.
“I have an e-book listed on Amazon and a paperback version, so I will endeavour to promote it to dog lovers and Greyhound owners in particular.
“When restrictions have lifted next year, hopefully, White Lodge Greyhound Rescue would like to host a book signing, with a view to raising much needed funds and awareness of this well loved breed.”
Wilson was adopted from White Lodge, in Melton Mowbray, when he was five years old, having enjoyed a successful racing career of 100 races.
Mark said he is still awaiting instructions from his employer as regards a return to work,
“I am in field sales selling packaging into the bakery industry, but going through back doors and shaking hands is currently a thing of the past, so going back on the road seems at the moment a little way off.
“For Wilson, of course having me at home is perfect, with or without a story he thinks it’s Christmas every day!”
A quarter of all profits made from this publication will be donated to White Lodge Greyhound Rescue, the Leicestershire branch of The Greyhound Trust, a nation-wide charity which works towards a world where every greyhound finds a safe, loving home in retirement.
■ “It’s me, Wilson, The Rescue Greyhound” is available in paperback at £6.95 on Amazon, or on Kindle at £3.95 or free with Kincle Unlimited membership.