HAVOC

HAVOC

‘Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war’
William Shakespeare

Deciding to have an animal is as important a decision as deciding to have a child in my book.  So I decided to wait for motherhood.  However each time I have married, a dog has been part of the package and the first one was Havoc - oh so aptly named.  My mother in law to be, bred dogs and Havoc – a Pembrokeshire corgi was a gift to her son.  When I first met Havoc in deepest Norfolk she ruled the roost over two other dogs – Annette and Brunette. Annette was a fat galumphing dachshund who galloped everywhere with her ears flapping.  Brunette was a chocolate coloured, miniature dachs – completely neurotic who would stand with her front paw raised and shiver.  Havoc hated them both.

I was spending the week before the wedding with Ma in law to be, so we could get to know one another.  She was not without a sense of humour and asked me if I would take the three dogs for a walk.  No sooner had we got out of the drive than all hell broke loose.  They whirled round me like dervishes, snarling, snapping and yapping as only small dogs can.  Havoc of course was the instigator – I knew you should separate them by pulling on their tails – but she hadn’t got one.  A passing motorist took pity and stopped and soon we were both entwined in their leads.  Then Ma in law, having heard the row (thank God she had her deaf aid in) appeared with a large pepper pot, sprinkled it liberally over the melee and it was over.

When Havoc came to live with us, she captivated me and developed the ability to speak – through me – strangely with a broad Lancashire accent.  One day my husband was away and I didn’t want to leave her alone so took her with me for three auditions – I was modelling then – and got them all – because of her, I’m sure.  Suddenly one night when I was expecting my first child she died and we were heart broken.

The photograph was taken by Lisa Sheridan – Royal photographer.  The princesses, Elizabeth {our Queen) and Margaret used to call her Minister without portfolio. She was a great character – I often worked with her and her husband and they were parents to Dinah Sheridan of Genevieve fame – the film about a car with Kenneth More. There were lots of photos of Roger Moore who started out as a model before he became famous.

Havoc is buried in a garden in Epsom.  I wonder if the flowers still bloom.