A FROME family has written and illustrated a children’s book which tells the story of Tipsy the Labrador who was lost for over a week after running away from a car crash.
Tipsy’s Adventures tells the tale of three-year-old labrador Tipsy who, after being in a car accident last year, ran away and was lost for nine days. The children’s story follows her journey until she is reunited with her family; the places she sees and the people and animals she meets along the way. Money raised from the book is being donated to animal charity, Happy Landings.
Tipsy’s owner Gemma Brixey explains how the book came about. “The accident happened on Boxing Day last year. My parents and brother were on their way home from a Christmas away when a speeding BMW crashed into them – sadly one passenger in the BMW died. Thankfully my dad and brother were unhurt, but my mum suffered a fractured femur and foot, broke five ribs and suffered a lacerated forehead.
“During the rescue my three-year-old black Labrador Tipsy, terrified of the noises from the helicopter and other rescue equipment, escaped from the scene and bolted into nearby fields.
“After nine days of searching and with the help of the amazing general public and kind volunteers, she was found in a private garden in the village of Sherbourne. Jo Southway from Happy Landings played a vital part in getting my best friend back to me.
“Then one of the volunteers, Alison Hall, said the whole incident would make a good book. My mum, Nikki, was recovering in hospital but decided to write the story with Alison – neither of them had written a book before. My grandad Maurice Hockedy wanted to get involved with raising the money. He is a retired artist, so he did all the illustrations.
“The story doesn’t include the car crash as we thought it would be too traumatic for children.
“We decided that all the money raised from the book would be donated to Happy Landings as a thank you for everything Jo and her team did for us in getting Tipsy back. It is important to my mum and our family that something good comes out of the terrible accident.”
The book is aimed at children aged five to seven years. The family is asking for a minimum donation of £3.50 plus £1 postage and packaging for the book if brought via the Happy Landings website. You can order the book on the Facebook group, Tipsy’s Adventure – The Book or pick up a copy at the Happy Landings office or at Tesco in Shepton Mallet.
