Barry Stebbing

We’re joined by Artist and Author, Barry Stebbing, who is talking about his first novel, Cedric - Footprints in the Sand. Based on a true story and inspired by Sir Edwin Landseer’s iconic paining of a black and white Newfoundland dog housed in the Tate in London, Barry brings the unknown back story of a Newfoundland named Bob - renamed as Cedric in this captivating book, which fuses fact and fiction to bring the painting to life. Capturing the life in the Victorian era as so different from ours, yet with similarities highlighting the human condition, with the constant of dogs as featuring in our lives as man’s best friend. Cedric - Footprints in the Sand is a tribute to a very brave dog that saved 23 people from drowning in an age when traveling by sea inevitably caused ship wrecks and huge loss of life. Barry lets his imagination flow with fictitious almost Dickensian characters that become real, with their lives shaped by this unsung hero, Cedric and his immense bravery until the very end.

Buy the book here and for more information go to Barry's website or follow on Instagram

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

If you want to move your dog to a raw diet or even switch brands we wholly recommend Paleo Ridge

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

Advertising and sponsorship opportunities [email protected]

Dogs.

They’re companions, guardians, and much much more – they complete us. And they just might save us from ourselves.

Anna Webb explores all levels of modern dog ownership and brings to life why every dog is extraordinary.

She speaks to scientists and experts - people who have and are changing our understanding of dogs - on everything from emotional intelligence to nutrition to behaviour, delving deep into subjects like homeopathy, telepathic communication and the pet food scandal.

It's thought provoking, alternative, and not a little subversive.

Cover photo by @Gruffpawtraits

• No. of episodes: 272
• Latest episode: 2025-06-22
• Education Kids & Family Pets & Animals

Where can you listen?