Many of you will already be familiar with Mollie; probably the littlest Basset of our pack and, despite having only three club walks under her collar, already the greatest flirt with Nico, Bertie and Morse in love with her.

Yet, only for a small slight, she could have been known nationally - though she is a growing star on YouTube (‘Catch the Pigeon’ - if you want a look) so there’s still time.

Anyway, Mollie and I took our usual jaunt to Cornwall last year, to my and her favourite beach, now recognised by many as ‘Echo Beach’ though it is in fact Watergate Bay. We were completely unaware of the planned filming until we made our way down to the beach, from our apartment, taking the short cut through the public car park where we were met with a little village of caravans and dressing rooms. That evening I met up with the owners of the apartment who told me that ITV was filming a new soap, which would star Martine McClutcheon and Jason Donovan - how exciting!

I made sure that Mollie was looking her best for every (numerous) trip we made through the ‘TV village’ on our way to and from the beach, and yet she remained ‘unspotted’. I figured I only had to get Martine to see her and she’d demand that Mollie was included in a clip somewhere. But to no avail.

Then half way through the week, probably on the coldest day yet, the TV crew set up under the coves to film the beach ‘rave’ scene - really, what decade are they living in! Anyway, I decided to take Mollie for a walk along the glorious, golden beach which would just happen to involve walking past the film crew.

We were probably a good 800 yards away but Mollie decided that they all looked like they were all having loads of fun, which I doubt because I had three layers on and the poor actors were either topless (boys) or in little strappy dresses (mostly the girls). However, she decided it just couldn’t be missed and charged over. I realised that they would probably be less than impressed if they had to ‘cut’ and start filming again so called her back in the nick of time.

If you do find someone with a copy of the very first episode of Echo Beach and if you just happen to squint past the actors in the ‘rave’ scene, you might pick out two shadowy figures in the distance; one human-shaped the other dog-shaped - that’s Mollie that is!

PART 2: Mollie’s Famous Fan.

I’d bought a ticket to go and see Jack Johnson in concert on Sunday 6^th July.  I had Mollie booked in with Christine, a dog sitter who it turns out used to look after Chalky Stein when he got too old to follow Rick around when filming. We'd just spent an hour with her so Mollie could get to know her and her two dogs (I would definitely recommend her if anyone is travelling to Cornwall and needs a sitter).

Anyway, Mollie and I headed straight to the beach (Watergate Bay, Cornwall) from Christine’s and had already walked and played for an hour when I decided to head the other way.  I was slightly stunned when I realised that Jack Johnson was a short distance ahead of me and in my excitement turned my back to him so I could text my friend and tell her.  It was at this point that Mollie decided to be her absolute cutest and she started prancing around and barking at me to chase her - well who was I to deny her.

So we’re playing when I overhear Jack say, “Hey kids, look at the dog” then, “Hey can I show my kids your dog, is it okay?” to which I replied, “She’s fine, she can be a bit nervy” whilst hoping to god she behaved herself. He brought the kids over and they petted Mollie for a bit and Jack said “Look at her ears, aren’t they great, this is a hound, this is daddy’s favourite dog, he’s always wanted one of these” ... So how about that Jack Johnson, lover of Bassets (you can see it in the photos).

I was kicking myself that my camera wasn’t in my bag but thankfully remembered the one on my phone, so I asked if it would be okay. Mollie then decided to be a bit clingy and kept walking out of shot towards me, but Jack pretended he had a treat and called her over, just as I remembered I had a load so I gave these to him to give to her.

See two photos above - am I smug or what! Weirdly, Jack was in the exact same cove on the beach where Mollie interrupted the filming of Echo Beach last year - I wonder who we’ll meet/see next year.

Words and pictures by Trudy Allen

(Ed. Many thanks, Trudy, for these two adventures. Guesses are invited for who was the flirtier at the encounter with Jack Johnson, Mollie or Trudy? Does anyone else have any stories of their hounds gate-crashing an event or meeting a celebrity? Please write in and let us know)