The car and felt Dixie and Percy, brilliantly made for us by Josie Armand Smith, set off this morning on their nationwide tour.
(look out for them in a bookshop near you!)
I made them some teeny sandwiches and a tiny thermos of tea for the journey. I wiped a tear and waved my hanky in an emotional farewell. I will miss having them around.

First, though, I had to take the bold step of gluing them into their seats. There will be too many opportunities for the little driver and passenger to get lost along the way.
An unsightly thread of glue appeared around the front of Percy’s lap, and I had to snip it off.
This photograph will make all little dogs’ eyes water with the horror of it…
please be assured, Josie, I do have a steady hand!