One of Britain's favourite actors and star of Doc Martin writes touchingly about his life growing up with dogs and his search to discover their true nature.

Martin Clunes is happy to admit that with Mary, it was love at first sight; her soft, brown eyes, her perfect figure and that unstoppable wagging tail. As cocker spaniels go, she was perfect.

Mary was soon joined in the Clunes' household by Tina, another cocker, and Arthur, a black Labrador. Reminiscent of MARLEY & ME, the dynamics between the three dogs makes hilarious reading: puppy classes, Scrufts, the competition for top dog status (and even Martin has to fight for this), which leads to visits from a dog psychologist.

His passion for dogs inspired Martin to embark on a journey of discovery about their ancestors, both wild (the painted dogs of Tanzania) and extremely tame (the members of the Beverly Hills Mutt Club).

With his trademark warmth and humour, Martin describes meeting a worldwide cast of doggie characters, and how humans have shaped the dog world as we know it today. One thing is certain: he will never see Mary, Tina and Arthur in quite the same way again.