Busby: Westbourne's 'Wonder Dog'

By Sue Paz BBC Dorset

Busby always wears his trademark red bandana

A trick-performing Parson Russell terrier from Westbourne has inspired his owner, Claudette Evans, to write a series of books.

Busby, now five, began training with the Friendly Dog Club at Barton-on-Sea, when he was just 16 weeks old.

He also attends the JWM Dog Club in Parkstone.

As a professional entertainer, Claudette wanted to put Busby's skills into practice, so together they run workshops for the community.

Claudette, a musician, said: "Busby's puppy training was fantastic because he learnt tricks, as well as obedience skills.

"I bought him a few toys and started to work, at home, on what we had learnt at dog school.

"Soon I was writing songs for the dogs to do their 'routines' to at the Friendly Dog Club."

Busby is named after former footballer Sir Matt Busby

A Dog in a Million

Claudette made a song specifically for Busby called A Dog in a Million.

This is what led her to write eight books about him including The Labradoodle Mystery and A Very Special Bear.

The ninth book she says is "a work in progress".

Claudette said: "I have a motor home so I take Busby on holiday a lot.

"Wherever we go I try to write a story about his travels, incorporating the local history of the area."

Helping hand

Claudette has arthritis and Busby's 'routines' mean that he gets "plenty of exercise", but she does not "have to do much".

She said: "He plays basketball, which he excels at, and he is quite good at quoits [a traditional game which involves the throwing of metal, rope or rubber rings over a set distance, usually to land over or near a spike].

"Busby also plays the piano and helps around the house - fetching the mail, picking up the rubbish and putting it in the bin.

"He also brings the tool box, puts the tools away when I've used them, fetches the phone for me - and if I'm on it for a long time to my girlfriends - he also brings me a bottle of wine!

"They're skills that can be done anywhere."

As well as doing tricks Busby likes to 'dress up'

Dressing up

Claudette does not like leaving Busby home alone, so she decided to take him on 'the road' as a way to earn money.

She said: "We do 'Help Around the House' workshops at fetes, schools, day centres and homes for the elderly or disabled.

"The workshops explain how the basic principals of obedience can be adapted to occupy the dog more and to enable better interaction between pet and owner.

"The people we visit adore him."

Busby, who is named after Sir Matt Busby, former Manchester United manager [Claudette is a "lifelong" fan of the football team], wears a trademark red bandana.

He also dresses up for special occasions.

Among many things he has been a wizard, a punk and Santa Claus.

To find out more about Busby and the books he inspired visit:

World of Busby