WHEN writer Helen Peacocke retired from the office last August, she vowed that her pub visits, which she wrote for the Witney Gazette, would continue in the form of a book.

This is exactly what she has done, with the help of her beloved Border Collie and constant companion Pythius-Peacocke.

Paws under the Table, 40 dog-friendly pubs and walks from Oxford to the Cotswolds (Wychwood Press, £9.99) came out this month, and it is already proving a real winner.

To give this book an unusual and amusing twist, Helen has written it in two voices, hers and the dog’s.

She says this was the only way to write it, as they both see the pub visit and walk in entirely different lights.

Helen explained that what delights a Border Collie certainly doesn’t always delight her.

“Like so many dogs, Pythius views the world quite differently from me. He finds smelly stagnant ponds a source of great fun, especially when he spots one before I do, and can dive in before I get a chance to call him back. Obviously big squashy cow-pats fascinate him too, and the smell of a fox can send him following its trail for miles,” she said.

Helen still smiles when she recalls the time Pythius pulled her into the duck pond at Ducklington after visiting The Strictland Arms.

“He spotted the ducks before I did, and decided to join them in the pond. Thank goodness, I was hanging on to his lead, for although I got very wet, no real damage was done,” she added.

“Pythius has his own opinion on the way he is treated in a pub too, and these observations just had to be included in the book if it was to work,” she said.

All the pubs she has visited welcome well-behaved dogs in the bar area, providing they keep their paws firmly under the table.

“Actually Pythius usually gets asked if he would like a bowl of water before we are served our drink, and occasionally he is offered a treat too. Martin and Joe, who run The Plough, Finstock, frequently offer him a crunchy pig’s ear, and Bonios are often available for visiting canines at The Woodman Inn, North Leigh.

Apart from adding an extra element to her life by visiting the pubs she has featured in the book, Helen had another reason for writing them up. She is deeply concerned by the number of pubs that are closing these days. Just a week before her manuscript was to be printed, she discovered one listed had already closed. An urgent rewrite was required.

“Pubs are closing at the rate of 30 a week nationwide. If this continues, there will soon come a time when we will be unable to enjoy a pub visit after taking a walk.

“My aim is to point out just what a great day out people can have if they marry a dog walk with a pub visit. Whilst the book features dog-friendly pubs, it doesn’t mean walkers who visit a pub without a four-legged friend can’t use it as a guide too.”

As an award-winning beer writer, Helen has also enjoyed tasting new brews that she hasn’t tried before during her travels.

“There are some surprisingly good beers out there, some excellent local brews too. It’s good to know that pubs are offering such a great assortment of real ales these days.

“Obviously, Pythius doesn’t get to try any, but I am always amused at the way his nose twitches with excitement when he catches a whiff of my beer. I think it’s the malt that attracts him,” she said.

Oxfordshire artist Sue Mynall has added a special touch to the book with her delightful little illustrations of Pythius, and there are plenty of Helen’s photographs included too.

Helen’s first official book signing takes place at 4.30pm on Sunday, June 21, at The Woodstock Bookshop, Oxford Street, Woodstock. Naturally, she is very excited about this, particularly as the proprietor has suggested that the event includes a short walk (with or without dogs) and then a visit to The Woodstock Arms, where snacks and nibbles will be provided to all who buy a drink.

Bookings for this free event can be made by phoning 01993 812760.