One court appearance and a £75 fine later, Roy Hattersley and his companion were consigned to the criminal ranks. But that was not the end of the matter, as journalists pursued the pair through the parks of London. Determined to put his side of the story forward, Buster decided at last to put paw to paper and his Diaries, as told to Roy Hattersley are the result.

From his lowly beginnings as a street pup and rescue dog, Buster charts his heady rise to the sophistication of SW1. Hotels, living with The Man and mealtimes that She dictates are only a few of the obstacles Buster has to negotiate. But negotiate them he does and despite momentary lapses in his 24-hour memory, the three learn to live together as a family. Light-hearted and humorous in tone, Buster's Diaries was never meant to be a serious treatment of animal psychology; yet it does offer the odd thoughtful comment on a British society which often seems to revolve around dog ownership and the tabloid press. A good wind-down book, this story offers you a leisurely stroll towards the happy ending where Buster finally adjusts to the rigours of owning The Man. It should certainly succeed in its aim to convince everyone that "there's more to life than chasing postmen". --Lucie Naylor