For Dame Lynley Dodd, a sketch of a dog on note paper started it all – 40 years ago.

Harry Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy was first published in 1983. The book features Harry, a Mixed Breed Dog who looks a lot like a Skye or Scottish Terrier (Dodd has said that he is a terrier mix) alongside his canine friends:

• Hercules Morse, As Big as a Horse, a Mastiff
• Bottomley Potts, All Covered in Spots, a Dalmatian
• Muffin McLay, Like a Bundle of Hay, an Old English Sheepdog
• Bitzer Maloney, All Skinny and Boney, a mixed breed dog that is clearly part Greyhound     

and

• Schnitzel Von Krumm, With a Very Low Tum, a Dachshund

Every Kiwi child knows this story! (with a further 19 books that followed the first).

NZ Post will release a series of commemorative stamps on 1st March to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this now classic children’s book. Can you guess which character is Sox’s favourite?

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand