Welcome to the first in a new series of posts: Dogs of the Rich and Famous, where we get to meet the dogs in our favourite book creators’ lives. I can’t wait!

Today’s lucky lovely pooch is Harry, assistant to West Australian author Dianne Wolfer.

About Harry

Age: About 6

Breed (or best guess): A rescue dog with schnauzer terrier ancestry. Harry was beaten before he came to us but now he’s happy and loved.

Assistant to: Dianne Wolfer. Dianne is author of 17 award-winning books, including 2018 CBCA Notable, Nanna’s Button Tin, a gentle story about searching for a special button. Her latest title, In the Lamplight partners with Lighthouse Girl and Light Horse Boy (which inspired Black Swan Theatre’s, “The Lighthouse Girl” and Perth Festival’s street theatre, “The Giants”).

Dianne writes across genres. Her fantasy quest novel, The Shark Caller was sparked by the ancient practice of calling sharks and is optioned for film. Another novel, The Dog with Seven Names will be published late July 2018.

Dianne completed PhD research into anthropomorphism and loves talking about Animal Characters in Children’s Literature.

Help or hindrance? “Writing ideas come when I’m walking, so Harry makes sure that happens every day,” says Dianne. “He also provided inspiration for The Dog with Seven Names (due 30 July 2018); a novel told from the point of view of a dog in the Pilbara in 1942. When I’m away for work I miss Harry, but he has fun sleepovers with his friend Fenrah.”

Fave place: The beach, where he wees on almost every shell.

Fave game: Loves Tug of War games with Piggly Wiggly or Monkey. Searching for lizards is also fun.