It's a "little bit of silliness" that could land Dianne Pope in hot water with her dog-loving friends.
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The line in the sand has been drawn - and Dianne won't stand for pampered pooches any longer.
"Now that I've said it no doubt I'll be shunned," she deadpans.
"I don't care, someone has to say it."
And say it she has in the 20-page book Dogs which is a tongue-in-cheek stab at pet owner's who take their fur babies a little too seriously.
The satirical book is beautifully illustrated by renowned Dungog artist Gaye Shield. Yes, Gaye is in fact a dog lover herself, even admitting her border collie is certainly not confined to the outdoors.
Gaye says her illustrations are "quirky" to go along with the book.
"I've always wanted to be involved in illustrating a book," she said.
"This really is a dream come true."
Gaye lent her artistic touch to the project after Dianne had written the words and appealed for an artist to do the illustrations, with a little flyer in the Dungog Arts Society shop window.
"It sat there for a while until Gaye said she'd have a crack at it and she has done a gorgeous job," said Dianne.
Dianne says the book is for those who know someone who is "owned by a dog".
"It's a bit quirky and a bit controversial," she said.
Dianne didn't want to give too much away about the book until it's officially unleashed to the public. (See what we did there?)
"It's a satire. Basically it's putting dogs down," she said.
"It's this total obsession with dogs. There's disenchantment with people's dogs - they are not dogs any more they are actually people. You can't move because they are always there."
It's this total obsession ...They are not dogs any more they are actually people
- Author Dianne Pope
Dianne, who has a cat named Gratzi, says the increase in dog ownership brings with it an increase in barking and poo on the footpath. A Boxer owner all her life, Dianne is not anti-dogs and hopes her book provides some laughs for people.
The official launch will be during the opening of Gaye's art exhibition at Dungog By Design on Saturday, July 31.
Dogs will be available at Dungog By Design, Dungog Arts Society and Gallery on Dowling and other businesses across the shire for $12.50.
Note: The reporter remains completely besotted with her two fur grandbabies - the golden lab/retriever Ruby and the chocolate lab Milo - but has absolutely no urge to either have them inside or take them to brunch.
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