NEWS FEATURE - SHROPSHIRE AUTHOR'S TALES OF ANIMAL BRAVERY

“Sometimes it is hard to believe the incredible things that animals do. A family will see their dog as a fireside friend, but in a moment of extreme danger, that pet can come through as a hero.”

A life-long love of animals and admiration for their amazing feats of courage and devotion is apparent as soon as Shropshire author Isabel George starts to talk.

Born in Wellington, raised in Little Dawley and now living in Newport, the former Phoenix schoolgirl is passionate about the subject and has just published The Dog That Saved My Life, a collection of moving and inspirational stories about five heroic war dogs.

“The fact that any pet dog could be a hero in wartime is amazing,” says Isabel. “Previously most of them started out as pet dogs that were trained up and sent into conflict.

“But it was not just that the dogs were doing a job – it is the relationship formed with the servicemen and women they work alongside, the bond that is created in conflict, extraordinary circumstances, that is very special.”

By day Isabel is responsible for promoting the history of veterinary charity PDSA and its animal bravery awards. She has worked for the charity for 20 years, and never tires of meeting the fearless pets nominated for PDSA medals and finding out what make them special.

She has also worked alongside the Imperial War Museum on various animal-related exhibitions, and helped organise many of the charity’s medal presentations – including a deeply moving event at Ground Zero, recognising the astonishing loyalty of guide dogs in the towers and the bravery of the search and rescue dogs working on 11 September 2001.

“The charity has such a rich history and I love being able to talk to the owners and handlers of these valiant animals,” says Isabel.

Her interest in the background stories of many of the WWII Dickin Medal recipients lead Isabel to publishing a children’s book, Animals at War in 2006, and she has toyed with the idea of producing something similar for adults ever since

“This book has been in my head for a long time. I had reason to talk to Harper Collins about the book they published about my good friend Allen Parton and his wonderful dog Endal. Their enthusiasm for Endal’s story inspired me to talk to them about my idea as I knew that there were many other super stories waiting to be told.

“Our hardest challenge was narrowing down which five stories to tell – I could have written hundreds!

“We knew we wanted to cover animals in conflict, so we decided to include different conflicts and make sure there was an international flavour, so those criteria helped me to make the final selection.”

The book contains two PDSA Dickin Medal stories – Gander, the Canadian Newfoundland mascot who gave his life to save his comrades, and English pointer Judy, the only dog to be officially registered as a prisoner of war.

Isabel says: “I had researched those two stories for the Dickin Medal and it was lovely to be able to go back to the people connected and get more depth.

“The veterans served with these animals 60 years ago, and yet their memories of the dogs are as fresh as if it all happened yesterday. And they so want people to know about the animals – these dogs shared their meagre rations, their beer, and they still remember what their dog meant to them, the comfort and companionship.

“I feel very honoured to have been able to capture that."

The remaining stories focus on dogs in Vietnam, Northern Ireland and – bringing the book right up to date – Iraq. Isabel’s respect for the animals and the people who served with them permeates every page.

“I spoke to some incredible people who had faced, as one man said, the most fearful time of their lives,” she says. “In the midst of hostility and fear, a dog gave them warmth and a reminder of home.

“Representing contemporary conflicts we have Jenny, with her dog Bonnie, who has served in Iraq. This is a very young woman, who every day puts her life in the dog’s paws – that’s how she regards it. They’ve had some near misses with roadside bombs, but Jenny feels that if Bonnie is with her she will be fine.”

Isabel dedicates her book to her three children, who are very used to hearing the heartwarming and emotional stories that mum brings home from work.

“In all, the book took around six months to write – working in the evenings and weekends – and I wouldn’t have been able done it without their help and understanding, their encouragement and the wholehearted support of my partner Rob.

“I have really enjoyed writing the book – it’s something I have wanted to do for so long, so there is plenty of love in there. I have been very lucky to be able to do something that has given me so much satisfaction.”

But does the family have a hero dog of their own?

“I’m afraid our little Scrumptious runs off given the slightest opportunity,” Isabel laughs. “She chases cats, she embarrasses me when I have to apologise to the neighbours for her misdemeanours, but she is adored by all the family.

“We don’t know where she came from or what her life had been before she found herself in the rescue centre, but she is the most lovable little dog and settled straight into our family. She is a very friendly little character.

“But you never know. None of the animals in the book knew. Given a particular set of circumstances, any dog could show their heroic side."

The Dog that Saved My Life: Published by Harper Element, priced £6.99 paperback