We chat with the wonderful pet expert, Anna Webb, and TV & Radio presenter Jo Good, about their work, beloved dogs, and their favourite dog-friendly holiday spots!
What projects are you both working on at the moment?
JO: My week is very full with the radio show on Friday and Saturdays which is BBC ALL ENGLAND. I am fashion stylist on ITV This Morning and I’m also a YouTuber with a weekly vlog. Myrtle is a very popular contributor to my social media! 
ANNA: As well as airing my weekly podcast, A DOG’S LIFE (on all platforms), I offer nutrition, behaviour and wellness advice to lots of dogs and cats. I also work on collaborations including as the nutritionist on the world’s first Biome Broth scientific research project. I contribute to a variety of broadcast channels, not least every Friday co-hosting Barking at the Moon with Jo Good.
Tell us about your gorgeous dogs Myrtle, Mr Binks and Prudence?
JO: Myrtle is a three-year-old British bulldog.
ANNA: Mr Binks is my almost 13 -year-old, re-homed English Toy Terrier and Prudence is my nine-year-old Miniature Bull Terrier.
Where and when did you get them?
JO: She was very carefully sourced from a breeder who is taking care to breed healthier bulldogs with fewer breathing issues. Touch wood she is extremely healthy, and comes from the same stud as my previous bulldog, Matilda, who lived until she was 13.
ANNA: I re-homed Mr Binks 10 years ago from his breeder. I am his third home! He is a vulnerable British breed. Once called Dexter, but his inquisitive thoughtful personality led me to his name: Mr Binks. Prudence was born in Germany, she is out-bred, with Crufts rosettes. She is a natural ’sniffer’ dog, and I trained her to ‘find’ the British truffle!
What is a typical day for you and your dogs?
JO: I’m very lucky to live in Central London which is surrounded by parks. I rise very early and go to the gym at around 7am. When I return, I take Myrtle to either Paddington Gardens or Regents Park. We both then have breakfast. I get on with my work and Myrtle sleeps (typical for a bulldog). When possible, I will take her with me to meetings as most of the cafes in my area are dog friendly. 
In the evening, we have a short walk in the Wild Garden in Regent’s Park where she loves standing in the stream. At the weekend, we go to Brighton to our favourite cafe on the beach, and Myrtle has their famous “cold dog sausage”. We are together 24/7 and I think dogs love that. Just the two of us!
ANNA: I work from my garden flat in Hackney. Situated close to several parks, and the great Hackney Marshes. We punctuate our day with walks and play time sessions. Luckily Hackney is very dog-friendly, and we both enjoy all the local cafes and shops. I take Mr Binks almost everywhere, and he likes nothing more than attending meetings. He is so small and elegant; he fits seamlessly into the smartest establishments. Prudence is more of a sportif and the open spaces offer her the chance to run, find lost tennis balls and have fun.
Do the dogs all get on and are they well behaved?
JO: Anna’s dogs are very well behaved. Myrtle is very passive and affectionate. They all get on… it’s just Myrtle has days when she refuses to walk!!
ANNA: Mr Binks was very shy and not well when he arrived. It took several years to build his confidence, and desensitise him to a busy social schedule. He is so well behaved, and benefits from being small and light. Prudence is an extrovert, full of joie de vivre, and can be too attention seeking at meetings. But she defines happy, and has a wide repertoire of learned cues which she performs with enthusiasm. 
Do you both have favourite dog-friendly parks/cafes they/you like to walk or visit?
JO: They love Hampstead Heath. They run and run… we think it’s the air and the space. We love taking them all to The Marylebone Hotel for brunch.
ANNA: We’re massive fans of the Hackney Marshes, it gives the feeling of the countryside – it’s so big! Victoria Park is another firm favourite. We love the Spaniards Inn at Hampstead which is a great meeting point for a dog friendly Sunday lunch.
What difference do they make to your life?
JO: Myrtle IS my life. Simple as that. She is the heartbeat. The only heartbeat in my home. I’m not complete without her.
ANNA: I could not imagine living without Binks and Prudence. They give me canine inspiration every day. Adding perspective as an antidote to the very hectic techy world.
Any funny incidents involving them?
JO: We always take all the dogs with us to Crufts…they are treated like celebrities… which in Annas case is great as her dogs perform to command… Myrtle on the other hand will only do what Myrtle wants… which I suppose is good for other owners to see who also have belligerent bull breeds.
ANNA: Considering how shy Mr Binks once was, he charmed Kay Burley on SKY News, and on one appearance they’d made him a huge banner on the set. Perhaps not funny, but uncanny, Prudence proved her olfactory skills locating my late cat, Gremlin’s ashes, at the vets before they knew they had been returned. 
What do you feel strongly about with regard to animal welfare?
JO: We discuss it endlessly on our radio show. I feel proud that we have highlighted many injustices especially to dogs: some of which are now being discussed in Parliament. Even since we have been broadcasting (15 + years) we have seen changes. Maybe not globally but certainly nationally. But there is still a long way to go.
ANNA: I have many bugbears but currently the trend to buy and sell dogs on the internet, proliferating irresponsible ownership. It fuels the illegal puppy smuggling trade and the one-click puppy purchase culture, which so often end in tears. I hope our new Government re-instates the postponed Animal Welfare (Kept Bill), which was set to tackle illegal puppy farming and smuggling.
Favourite holiday destinations and which Pets Pyjamas hotel /cottage would they like to visit?
JO: We would love to return to Norfolk and to Holkham. We took our previous dogs there and have not yet returned. We would love to return with Mr Binks, Myrtle and Prudence. Oh, to see them run along that beach! Joyous!
ANNA: Norfolk is a firm favourite. Holkham beach has so many fond memories, and offering dogs the chance to run and feel so much fresh air is almost morally mandatory!