Back in 2011 after lots of research and contact with breeders we eventually brought Monty, our first Newfoundland home to Wigan. Why a Newfoundland is a question I’ve been asked lots since then, and the simple answer is that I wanted to do water training with him. I had seen videos and a few sessions live and it looked great fun, and I was in awe of those amazing dogs and owners.

It soon became clear that despite their breeding and heritage not all Newfies like water, and it turned out Monty was one of those. We joined a group and he took his test -Three times - before eventually and reluctantly passing. That was it though and he had no further interest in messing about in water any more.

Well if water wasn’t his thing maybe the other thing Newfies are famed for would be something he would find more appealing. Actually he seemed to quite enjoy carting and we attended a few charity Christmas tree pulls and some Santa parades. When I say ‘quite’ enjoy it though, that’s exactly what it was and it was pretty obvious that any type of menial work wasn’t for Monty.

It didn’t take long though before we discovered what he really enjoyed, though it would take a chance encounter outside a supermarket to find his true calling.

Monty and his charity Christmas tree pull

Monty has always loved being the centre of attention and it was this trait of his personality that made him perfect for the job he really did enjoy…..Doing nothing while raising money for charity.

It all started with a visit to our local Sainsburys. I often took him and waited outside on grocery shopping trips. It was great for his socialisation and also really helped with my dislike for the retail experience in any form, it was a win win.

This particular trip coincided with the annual Poppy collection period and while in the foyer I got into conversation with the veteran who was there on behalf of the Royal British Legion. As we chatted Monty got his usual swarms of admirers and as we were next to the collection table they assumed this was part of the Poppy Appeal.

When it was time to leave, Bob the old soldier jokingly said ‘Don’t go, this is the most I’ve ever taken’. Well to cut a long story short I came back after dropping the grocery shopping home and we stayed all day. In fact we stayed for four years. Bob retired and we spent two weeks every year outside the store where Monty and Cookie became local celebrities. They were supported by the rest of the family, receiving a visit from local Olympian Jenny Meadows and even meeting the Mayor.

Monty loved the constant flow of hooman fusses, cuddles and treats but four years was long enough and I needed to consider their welfare and so we handed the baton on to others but not before helping to raise over £40,000, something we will always be extremely proud of.

The seed now was sown though and we realised how much good these amazing dogs can do for others. Monty made visits to SEN schools, day centres and nursing homes. At Christmas he even pulled his cart around the residential homes to distribute presents to the residents.

Meanwhile the Blog/Facebook page Life According to Monty Dogge was growing and getting more and more followers. I think the reason for this was because we told stories that all dog owners could relate to. They were through the eyes of Monty and he spoke about his feelings about other dogs and hoomans, never sugar-coating his opinions.

I got messages from people who suffered from depression or were going through personal difficulties saying the stories made their day. The ‘followers’ became friends, many we have met, and others that remain connected via social media but nonetheless a special part of the Monty family.

For the past four years our little blog has been voted in the Top Ten Pet Blogs in the UK by Vuelio, again something we are really proud of. This growing profile has also enabled us to continue the charity fundraising with the amazing support of our friends.

Monty’s annual cwissymouse poem has raised funds for the wonderful Canine Partners, Pilgrim bandits, Hounds for Heroes, and this year Derian House Children’s hospice. Funds have also helped various dog rescues and welfare organisations including our own Newfoundland Welfare.

The kindness and generosity of the Monty family has meant this has totalled over £10,000 in donations which is amazing.

A few years ago to my surprise we got an email from the Kennel Club asking if Monty would attend Crufts and do his blog live. I have to admit my first question to them was ‘Have you read it?’ They assured me they had and that I could write whatever I wanted.

What followed was four years of Crufties According to Monty Dogge where we basically walked round for four days poking gentle fun at the show and it’s attendees. It was great fun, Monty got his own Press pass and access all areas, which usually meant pulling me from one treat stand to the next.

What it did do though was enabled us to meet so many Facebook friends in the flesh, some who were exhibiting, while others made a special trip to come and say hello which was wonderful.

A-Landseer-arrives-on-the-first-day-of-Crufts-dog-show (1).jpg

A chance comment on the Facebook page back in 2016 about writing a book led to the next chapter (sorry) in Monty’s eventful life. I had no idea how to produce a book and even what that book would be regarding content or who the target audience would be. After lots of research and plenty of sleepless nights I decided on self-publishing a childrens book.

I found a lovely little publisher 2QT up in North Yorkshire who were very supportive but now I needed to produce something. I really wanted it to begin with Monty’s start in life and how he first came to us, and in 2017 I’m not a Pandacow was published.

A short while after the book was published I got the greatest surprise. The very talented Nick Overmire had written Monty a theme tune and what a catchy little number it is. Here it is performed by Nick and the fabulous Megan Turner.

Fast forward to 2020 and the seventh book in the series Monty and the land of the DinoDogs arrived and it’s fair to say it’s been a whirlwind experience. The really good bit started when I was asked to visit my grandchildren’s school and read the Pandacow book, oh and could I bring Monty in? It was a great success and he was amazing. He was calm and lapped up all of the attention and excitement that was inevitable when a hooge dog visited 400 young mini hoomans.

One thing led to another and we got request after request to visit schools. 100 trips later and Monty has become a veteran of these appearances and we think he has probably been stroked by around 40,000 children. We have had some amazing feedback about his visits with teachers contacting us about how he has inspired so many children to read books and even start writing their own stories.

Covid may have put a stop to our physical visits but Monty has been kept busy doing virtual appearances to many schools and children in lockdown.

In his new role as a childrens book star Monty has also visited numerous book signings at Waterstones and WH Smiths. As usual he took these all in his stride and usually snored through them.

Monty’s stories have been very popular in Scottyland and back in 2016 Monty became an honhairy member of the Scottish Newfoundland club. This has been a wonderful experience and visiting this wonderful country has given us many friends and some wonderful memories.

In that same year we were invited to the club fun show near Edinburgh and it turned out to be one of the most special days we’ve ever had. Totally unbeknown to us Monty was the guest of honour and we were treated to some amazing Scottish hospitality which included gifts, some special Monty, Cookie and Spangles cupcakes and us being asked to walk around the ring while everyone clapped. It was a fantastic surprise and one which we’ll never forget.

I even entered Monty into the show though that career was short as he spotted some sausage butties being eaten and dragged me unceremoniously through the ropes never to return to the show ring.

We have returned to Scotland whenever we had the chance and after I’m not a Pandacow was released we did some book signings up there. This coincided with the Edinburgh show and we decided to take Monty down the Royal mile and do a bit of promotion. This turned out to be a big mistake as the crowds around us eventually meant we could no longer move as people jostled to come for a Newfy cuddle. We were there for four hours and Monty just loved the attention. At one point the live performers sat down as nobody was taking any notice.

When the Dog Lover Show started in Glasgow in 2018 they asked if Monty would appear and if we could do a Storytime for the visitors. They built us a special area which was wonderful and we returned in 2019 and were due back in 2020 before the pandemic intervened….We can’t wait to return. It’s fair to say we all love Scottyland.

One of the amazing things about Monty’s story is the amount of friends that we have made all around the world. From across Europe to Yankeedoodle land, Upsidedown land and Hobbitland we have made many lifelong friends even though they have never met Monty. They have supported Monty’s charity appeals, bought the books and even helped promote them to a wider audience in their own countries and groups.

One of the most memorable we’ve ever experienced is when one of Monty’s American friends (I won’t embarrass her) did a fundraiser to provide free copies of the book Monty and the Ocean Rescue to around 200 children in Baltimore and California. It was such a wonderful thing to do and it all came about because of the friendship of a big newfydoof thousands of miles away. It was very special.

We feel so privileged to share our stories across the world and we have been overwhelmed by the love and generosity that we have experienced.

Our amazing fundraiser Patty and some happy mini hoomans

Introducing Monty to the California mini hoomans.

Monty saying hello to his mini hooman friends in California

Of course Monty’s story has been shared here at home with his four legged family. The spangles and Cookie have featured in the stories along the way and and have been the recipients of some of his most caustic comments. But here’s the proof that he loves them really.

We can’t celebrate ten years of Monty and his stories without including the work he did with the worlds most incompetent dog trainer Absolutely Barking. Here he is ‘trained’ in the art of getting in and out of the car. If you’re really bored you can view all of the training videos here

It has been a truly wonderful 10 years that we’ve been privileged to spend in Monty’s company. We have made so many friends and memories and long may this continue. Happy Buffday big fella….here’s to the future, whatever that brings.

If you’d like to follow Monty’s adventures on social media you can find them here -

Facebook - Monty and Friends Happy Place or Life According to Monty Dogge

Twitter - @montydogge

Instagram - @monty_dogge

Monty Dogge is 10….The story so far