Macy Hall
A Pawtobiography is the story of the well-loved furry friend in Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (2018-present). If you’ve never watched the BBC Two masterpiece, let me be the first to tell you: you should.
I can’t say that a TV show about fishing is something I would usually watch. In fact, the first time I ever watched it, it was because I was stuck in a hospital bed and ridiculously bored.
Of course, I had no way of knowing then that I would fall down a multi-season binge watch and leave with a new obsession.
Fast-forward to a few months later, I was watching the new episodes religiously from my parents’ sofa. Every week, I’d sit and utter the signature ‘and away…’ in synchrony with Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and, of course, my dad.
Who is Ted?
At some point during the show’s running, we were introduced to Ted, an adorable, if not cheeky, Patterdale dog who belongs to the show’s executive producer, Lisa Clark. Now an ‘ambassadog’ for the Assistant Dog Assessment Association and a best-selling author, it’s quite possible that Ted has become the most beloved part of Gone Fishing altogether. I’ll even admit that I will spend most episodes asking, ‘but where’s Ted?’
What’s A Pawtobiography all about?
A Pawtobiography tells Ted’s story, with a few creative liberties, of how he went from an abandoned Christmas present to TV fame, starting with his early life as the runt of his litter.
Through his eyes, he tells us of his brothers and sisters not letting him play, his mother’s apathy towards him, and his father’s absence. It’s a story that, in all honesty, should make you want to cry, but Ted’s amusing twist on his experience and his insistence that the audience doesn’t feel sorry for him is enough to carry you through the sadder parts.
For a book that had the potential to be little more than a gimmick, Ted’s story is somehow more human than expected. Stemming from the voice given to him by Paul Whitehouse in Gone Fishing, Ted’s perspective is consistent throughout; rugged, funny, and sometimes downright adorable and it really isn’t too hard to imagine him sat in front of a computer, typing away with his paws and his briefcase at his side.
“Ted’s story is somehow more human than expected”
The entire story is told from Ted’s perspective, in the characterisation developed by Paul Whitehouse throughout Gone Fishing – gruff, light-hearted, and whatever version of ‘gangster’ that might apply to a dog. Although every page is lined with the comedic twist that you would expect to see from the lovable Patterdale, Ted doesn’t shy away from the rougher parts of his life as a skinny runt, an abandoned Christmas dog, or his time in a cage at the shelter.
The thought of a dog being tied up outside a shelter and spending any amount of time in one is upsetting, and yet somehow, Ted’s tales of developing a form of sign language in order to communicate with his non-English speaking French bulldog ‘cellmate’ almost makes you forget all about the heartbreaking reality of his situation.
An exclusive behind the scenes
For anyone who is a fan of Gone Fishing, A Pawtobiography gives a unique glimpse into the lives of Bob and Paul when the cameras aren’t rolling. One of the main talking-points for the two comedians are their heart issues, with each episode showing Bob cooking up a heart-healthy meal. However, Ted tells us – very cheekily – that they often enjoy a pie in the pub afterwards and this isn’t the only time he gives us a hint as to what happens when the camera is off. If you’ve ever wondered how they manage to get their waders off after a long day of finishing; don’t worry, Ted will tell you all about it.
“It’s often easy to forget that celebrities are human”
There is more to Ted’s adventures, though. Perhaps the most heart-warming point in the book is when he tells us what Bob and Paul taught him: friendship. Both comedians have spoken openly about no longer having parents in their lives and this is something that Ted himself says he relates to and admires. It’s often easy to forget that celebrities are human and have lives beyond what they show on screen, but Ted reminds us that they’re just as normal as we are – and that they pee in their waders, apparently.
Ted’s life
Although the book is very light-hearted, there are a few important lessons that Ted teaches us. For one: dogs aren’t Christmas presents, and he reminds us of this with the well-used ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ motto. By giving Ted such a uniquely human voice, it forces us to remember that dogs are more than just toys or pets, but truly a part of the family and deserving of love and care. He also reminds owners not to put their dogs’ names on their tags. Where better to get dog-ownership advice than from a dog himself?
Is A Pawtobiography worth reading?
Despite being a relatively short read, it’s a story that lingers with you well after the final page. I would recommend it to everyone; not just dog lovers or fans of Gone Fishing, but to anyone who wants a smile. Although we may not exactly know what’s fact and what’s fiction throughout the story, Ted’s version of events will prove to anyone how and why he managed to outshine Bob and Paul to become the superstar dog of Gone Fishing.
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Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence can be found here.
