Emily and Raymond are on Hampstead Heath with Bella Mackie and her labrador, Barney (who we can all agree is a bit of a national treasure)

Bella tells us about her love story with Greg James and how a childhood obsession with Victorian true crime started her on the journey to writing her million-selling first novel How To Kill Your Family. We also chat about being direct - and whether that can be considered as a compliment and unfortunately, one of Barney’s toys meets a watery grave…

Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Barney (and Greg James) from September 2022 here

Follow Bella on Instagram @mackie_bella

Bella’s new novel What A Way To Go is a gloriously funny and dark story about dysfunctional families in the shiny but cruel world of the extremely wealthy - you can get your copy here!

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Faye Lawrence

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re on Hampstead Heath with the brilliant author Bella Mackie - and her labrador, Barney!

Barney (aka Banana Head) is no stranger to Walking The Dog - he has previously appeared on this podcast with Bella’s husband Greg James! He’s a pretty special dog - and we were thrilled to take him out again.

Bella’s always had dogs throughout her life and Barney came into her life after she and Greg went to Battersea with the intention of getting a small dog… he may not have been what she wanted to get but it’s clear Bella loves Barney a hell of a lot.

Bella tells about her childhood in North London, how moderating an online comment board led to her to changing her name, and how running helped her to manage her anxiety and OCD.

Listen to Emily and Ray’s first walk with Barney (and Greg James) from September 2022 here

Follow Bella on Instagram @mackie_bella

Bella’s new novel What A Way To Go is a gloriously funny and dark story about dysfunctional families in the shiny but cruel world of the extremely wealthy - you can get your copy here!

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Faye Lawrence

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Emily, Mabel, Isla, Luna, Inca and Nala for the second part of our walk with James Middleton in Berkshire!

James tells us about how his dog Ella helped him in the hardest time of his life and how she also led him to meet his wife Alizée.

We also chat about that time which we all dread - losing a pet. James tells us how he coped with losing his beloved Ella and the gifts that she gave him throughout her life.

… and we got to meet James’ tractor! To be honest, we never wanted to leave the farm!

As a content warning, this podcast contains discussion of suicidal feelings. If you need support with you mental heath you can find support and resources with Samaritans and Mind.

Follow James on Instagram @jmidy

James' brilliant new book about the dog who changed his life is out now. Buy your copy of Meet Ella here!

Follow Emily:

Instagram - @emilyrebeccadean

X - @divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Faye Lawrence

Music: Rich Jarman

Artwork: Alice Ludlam

Photography: Karla Gowlett

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.