They might not speak or take direction all too well, but that’s exactly why WA-based author Craig Silvey continues to cast dogs as the star in his coming-of-age stories.
Publishing his family novel Runt in 2022 — now in cinemas as a feature film — the Freo local’s love of canines began in childhood.
“I am a dog person,” Silvey told PerthNow the day before Runt’s cinematic release in September.
“We had a German Shepherd called Bella, who I was just besotted with. But in my adult years, I just haven’t been in a position to have a dog in my life. “
Raised in Dwellingup, the ambitious writer packed his bags after high school with eyes for the port town, and a dream of bringing his stories to life.
And while his pursuit was a solitary one, perhaps it was a familiarity Silvey recognised in the furry creatures that led to their repeated casting and “overcompensating in my fiction”.
Penning his debut novel Rhubarb in 2004, protagonist Eleanor was aptly aided by her guide dog Warren as she navigated the world.
And in 2007, The World According to Warren offered the loveable mutt his own platform and picture book illustrated through a dogs-eye-view.
While dogs might be considered simple creatures, Silvey believes they have much wisdom to impart on another species.
“I think dogs have a lot to teach us about being good humans, and they’re always fun to write about,” he said.
Aside from adding a wholesomeness or relatability for young audiences, or any reader for that matter, there’s one particular trait that compels the author to find a place for them in his stories.
“They’re spontaneous creatures, and so introducing them to fiction always leads to something interesting,” he said.
Admitting canine cast members can be “agents of chaos”, the old mythology that one should never work with kids or animals does not resonate with the 42-year-old.
Recruiting a well-regarded contingent of Aussie actors in Jai Courtney, Jack Thompson, Celeste Barber, and Deborah Mailman, none could match the authenticity that real-life Runt brought to the role.
Or rather, Squid, a “rescued” stray dog who became the best friend of farm girl Annie Shearer in the film, played by Lily LaTorre.
“It was a point of focus for our casting department to rehome a dog in a shelter, and that’s what we did,” Silvey said.
“We scoured the nation looking for the perfect Runt and we found Squid in a shelter in regional Victoria.”
Responding well to training, the little legend has gone from zero to hero in 18 months.
“He’s going to be the most famous dog in the world,” Silvey added.
With much of the film shot in York — roughly an hour outside of Perth — it was Silvey’s long-time stomping ground of Fremantle which offered a certain London look to colour his Crumpet’s Dog Show main event.
A proud “ambassador” of the region, the filmmaker commandeered a city street he felt embodied the “European architectural stylings” of that world in somewhat of a dream come true.
“I think it looks beautiful, and it was apt that I was able to bring the furthest flowing element of that story to my home,” Silvey said.
The Freo native even features in an episode of SBS’ Great Australian Walks Season 2 where he offers host Julia Zemiro a tour of that exact scene — and a glimpse into his boundless well of inspiration.
Because it’s not just Runt inspired by the heritage-laden town, with 2020’s Honeybee and his debut Rhubarb saluting the streets he’d walked so many times.
“I had a great fortune in that particular episode to come full circle, allowing Julia to see little personal landmarks that were germane to the beginning of my artistic experience,” Silvey said.
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