Estimated reading time:4 minutes, 8 seconds
Clever Daisy has written a book about her canine friends who meet up regularly on Highbury Fields. (c) Debbie Dunning
Everyone has a story. The Dogs of Highbury Fields is narrated by Daisy a huge Bernese Mountain Dog who often visits this fabulous green space. After meeting Daisy at a book signing in Highbury bookshop Ink@84, we couldn’t resist a Q&A with Daisy, and this is the result. Interview by Nicola Baird (interview #373). Photos by Debbie Dunning.
The Dogs of Highbury Fields (Maple ÂŁ14.99) is by Daisy, with illustrations by self-confessed “dog fanatic” Mo Pittaway. Together they capture the unique characters of the many dogs you can spot enjoying Islington’s biggest green space.
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Things you need to know about Daisy – note she’s by every user of Highbury Fields’ favourite ice cream van, run by Tina.
Q: Is it rude to ask your age?
I am 5 and a half years and live in Canonbury, Islington.
Q:What’s your connection to Islington?
I’m originally from Wales, and came to live in Islington when I was just 8 weeks old.  Lucky for me Debbie & her family wanted a Bernese Mountain Dog.  Debbie’s mum came from the part of Switzerland that my breed originally came from.
The Dogs of Highbury Fields reveals a huge number of dog breeds and dog jobs. It’s a very sweet book written by a fine pawthress, Daisy (c) Debbie Dunning
Q: What gave you the idea for your book?
Well, I see many of these dogs on a weekly (if not daily) basis.  I think Debbie loves the social element of meeting the dog owners (especially during Covid).  Quite often children come and watch us dogs play around on the Fields and I think that’s what gave Debbie the idea to make the book.  So children could recognise some of the dogs on the Fields.  There are, of course, many other dogs who come here to play, we just ran out of space!
Book signing The Dogs of Highbury Fields was no problem for Daisy, she just delegated her human to ink up a potato print.
Q: How do the other dogs regard you now you’re a pawthress? (paw+ author)
Ha, good question!  I think if it involves more treats and strokes then it’s a win, win!
Q: You have a job. What does that involve and will you be using your book to help kids read?
I do have a few jobs.  I’m a Pets as Therapy Dog and have visited Great Ormond Street Hospital to see the children there. I also go to a local primary school where children read to me.  I will be donating one of my books there for sure!
Daisy (far right) with family during her book signing at local book shop Ink@84. (c) Debbie Dunning
Daisy’s favourite places in Islington
- Highbury Fields would be number 1 of course.
- The New River Walk – lovely smells and the water tastes delicious.
- The Place cafe, 11 Canonbury Place, N1 – I always get free treats. Insta @theplacecoffee
- The Marquess Pub, 32 Canonbury Street, N1 – I always get lots of rubs and quite often treats as well.
- Ink@84, 84 Highbury Park, N5 for selling my book.
Daisy (left) with her pals who meet regularly on Highbury Fields. (c) Debbie Dunning
Q: Why does your book help a charity?
Given the amount of dogs around, I thought that being able to benefit the Dogs Trust (the HQ is in Islington, not far from Angel) would be quite useful. There is  an idea or two rolling around my human’s head for a sequel, we’ll have to wait and see if it actually happens or not!
Find our more
- The Dogs of Highbury Fields (Maple. 2023, ÂŁ14.99) is by Daisy, with help from her human Debbie Dunning, and with illustrations by Mo Pittaway
- Follow the illustrator Mo Pittway on Insta @mollecule
- The working dogs in the book are linked to the Epilepsy Foundation (seizure alert), Pets as Therapy, Empathy Animals and Hearing Assistance Dogs
- Enjoy another interview with a special Islington furry character, Hazel the Park Theatre dog. This was published in 2013 – sadly Hazel is no longer at the theatre.
Over to you
If you’d like to nominate someone to be interviewed who grew up, lives or works in Islington, or suggest yourself, please let me know, via nicolabaird dot green at gmail dot com. If you enjoyed this post you might like to look at the A-Z  index, or search by interviewee’s roles or Meet Islingtonians to find friends, neighbours and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. Nicola
Feedback
Nicolette: Excellent interviewee!
