The Lost Dogs by Patricia Forde

A heartwarming book inspired by a heartwarming tribute to a beloved family dog, Ben! We think you will love reading our guest post from Patricia Forde!
The Lost Dogs
At the end of March 2024, our dog Ben passed away. I had finished writing The Lost Dogs by then and was waiting for it to be published in October. Ben had been with us for thirteen years. He was bought for my son James for his Confirmation. Ben was a Cavachon – half King Charles Spaniel, half  Bichon, totally unpredictable.
He was motivated by food mostly and nothing was safe from him. Once, when the plumber called, we found Ben in his van eating the poor man’s lunch (ham sandwiches with lettuce and tomato with mustard). But he wasn’t fussy, He would eat anything. Over his lifetime he ate tablets, shoes, many shrew, the odd mouse, a bird, a painting and a signed first edition book. And yet, we loved him. I still miss the pitter-patter of his nails on the wooden floors and I can’t find my straw hat. Did he eat it? We will never know.

I grew up with dogs. My father adored them and there was always one in the family. But we also watched films and television programmes about them and read books about them. Lassie Come Home was a perennial favourite, guaranteed to make us all cry – bar the family dog, who paid no attention to the beautiful sheep dog and her many adventures. The first books I remember that featured dogs were Harry The Dirty Dog by Gene Zion and Clifford The Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell. The nun who taught us in fourth class had just returned from a stint in Florida and I imagine she brought them back with her. We were deemed too old for picture books by then but Clifford especially stole my heart. When I wanted to write a story about friendship, it was to dogs that my first thoughts went. Friends are the family that we get to choose for ourselves, the ones we turn to when the world is too hectic or when our greatest dreams are finally realised. Often underestimated, they are , for me, one of life’s great joys. Some of my friends I’ve known since I was a small child, others I met a year ago.

When I started to create the three dogs in The Lost Dogs, I wanted them to be three very different personalities. And so, Luna, the protagonist, is a worrier, but loyal to her core. Bella is a romantic and always kind while Eddie is hilarious, cheeky and full of bounce. When the three decide to break out of the dog pound all of their individual talents come into play, but it’s only when they bond as a family that they achieve their goals.

Though the book is primarily a fast-paced adventure story, it doesn’t shy away from big topics like death and grief, anxiety and love, the foolishness of pigeons and the joy of having good friends. I especially enjoyed writing about that bond that exists between a child and a beloved pet. Anyone who had that experience will remember the unconditional love that animals offer, the cuddles, the listening ear and the adoring looks.

I still miss Ben and all the other lovely dogs who have wandered in and out of my life, but I know that I am the richer for having known them. I hope that The Lost Dogs goes someway to recreating that experience for a child reader and that it reminds us all of what a gift man’s best friend really is.

The Lost Dogs is dedicated to my son, James and in memory of our lovely dog, Ben.