Earlier this year we learnt that we’d been nominated for an award in the category of Best Pet Blog in the Animal Star Awards. Naturally we were delighted and even more so when some weeks later we were selected as finalists.

Well the 2020 Animal Star Awards took place on Sunday March 28th as a virtual event for obvious reasons. Despite that it was wonderful, with entertainment and celebrity contributors making it a very special evening. When the winner of our category was announced and I saw a picture of Monty’s wonderful face I must admit I was close to tears.

Believe me when I say that it was nothing to do with being a winner or basking in victory. It was quite simply pure joy at Monty getting some much deserved recognition for everything he has done for the past decade.

It was the 5th April 2011 that Life According to Monty Dogge was born as a Facebook page about the world seen through the eyes of an eight-week old Newfoundland puppy. It wasn’t a blog it was just a bit of fun but it soon became much more. The silly stories seemed to resonate with other dog owners who were, or had, experienced similar and were able to laugh or cry along with Monty and his hoomans.

These are the first posts we did 10 years ago and I’m sure Monty’s Facebook diaries will become a book very soon.

March 2011

Monty our first Newfoundland came to live with us in March 2011 as a seven week old puppy. We already had three Cocker Spaniels in what was a ‘busy’ household that also consisted of four adults and three children.

What followed changed our life as we attempted to get to grips with living with a puppy that was growing faster than a politician’s expenses claim.

He made us laugh, cry and most days question our sanity but above all he always entertained. This is his story…..in his own words.

This is life according to Monty Dogge…

5th April 2011

Sleeping is great I could do that all daZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I've been sitting outside Sainysburys while mum went clothes shopping. I'm all fussed out now, it's a tough life for a baby newf.

I’m learning everyone’s names now…There is hooman dad who sometimes gets called homer. Hooman mum is just mum, don’t fink anyone is brave enough to call her anything else. They have grown up children and the one who lives with us is poobag….well that’s what dad calls her all the time anyway….er quick, poobag….just over here, poobag…I know it’s a funny name but she seems to like it ok. Poobag also has mini hoomans….I know it’s complicalated ain’t it….hoomans everywhere in our house. Try to keep up though please.

Been paddling in me water bowl, chewing mums’ crocs and hanging off Poppys ears, it's time for a Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

6th April

My strange doglet brothers and sisters are definitely getting smaller every day. Their ears don't seem to be shrinking though, they are much too big for their heads.

7th April

I'm off to Petsatallyoucaneatbforeyougettoldoff today...more cuddles...more toys, lucky me

14th April

My first day at water training tomorrow. I'm hoping to have a licckle paddle and maybe a trip in the boat, weeeheee can't wait. I’ve been told that one day I’ll be a water rescue dog and be a great swimmer. I don’t know what any of that means but hopefully I can eat it.

The popularity of the page gave us a platform to do much more and that was aided by a huge dog that loves nothing more than being the centre of attention. His patience while collecting for charity is legendary. For three years he sat outside Sainsburys in Wigan every day for two weeks collecting for the Poppy appeal. He visited nursing homes and would go from one frail, elderly resident to the next, never wavering just wanting to give Monty cuddles.

In 2017 I wrote the first childrens book featuring Monty. I’m not a Pandacow was down to the encouragement and support of his social media followers or friends as they have become. With the books came the school appearances and to date we have carried out over 130 free visits. These make me especially proud because we recently worked out Monty has met around 40,000 children during these trips and there is no doubt he has inspired many youngsters to enjoy reading and even writing their own stories.

We are not a traditional blog. I know that. The aim has always been to put a smile on peoples faces and I think we’ve achieved that because Monty has inspired me to tell those stories.

The fact that the Animal Star Awards recognised that makes me extremely happy and very very proud.

This is his award.

Thank you.