The Pet In My Life
Sunday Times Culture Magazine (UK)
September 1994
Perfect Partners - The actor, John Barrowman on his English cocker spaniel, Miss Moneypenny
submitted by Marilyn Swain
'I have had my spaniel Penny, for four years now - since she was six months old.
I was out in Italy doing some modelling for the designer Valentino, who had seen me
in the show Matador.
During one shoot, I mentioned that, ever since I was a kid, I'd wanted a golden cocker
spaniel. They are just so cute and energetic and fun without being bad-tempered.
When I arrived back in London, there was a card from Valentino waiting for me with an
address on it; at that address, Miss Moneypenny was waiting for me.
"Her real name is Mirandis Miss Moneypenny. She was given it by the kennel. She is a real pedigree, and I'm told she cost a fortune. She was already trained - it did make my life easier because my schedule is so hectic. She was just out perfect, sitting looking out of the window as I drove her home, and she's been like that ever since.
"Her bed is next to mine. When I go to bed, she jumps up on to mine and stays there until I'm asleep; and she jumps up again when I wake up in the morning, just to let me know she hasn't gone away. When I get up, she curls up in the little warm hollow where I have been sleeping.
"Some days she stays in while I work, and I get a friend of mine to come and walk her; but she usually goes wherever I go - the recording studio, my dressing room, wherever. SHe gets totally spoilt. She is the only dog I know that gets picked up by a beauty salon every other week for her shampoo and set - although it is important that she looks decent as she often appears on TV wit me, and her hair can get really matted if we're not careful.
"I really love, and everyone says that she is besotted by me, too. You should see the way she looks at me. She would do anything for me. To be honest, I don't know what I would do if something happen to her. I'm touching wood as I say this, but I'd be absolutely devastated. A few months ago I let her have three puppies, because I wanted her to experience motherhood, and I guess her daughter is the only dog that I could come close to being like Penny. But she has gone to a good home, I guess Penny is irreplacable."
