What a Carr-y on

Hello people,

I wanted to alert you to a couple of things that have been going down. Firstly, my owners at Frank PR had an absolute stormer of an evening last night at the PR Week awards ceremony. They won a trophy for the best consumer campaign of the year. If that's a bit gobbledegook for you, I think it basically means they are very good at PR. So congrats to them! Also my good mate, the comedian Jimmy Carr, was presenting the awards and as well as mentioning me on stage he also left a message for his old mucker, The Flyer.

Me and Jimbo (as I know him) go way back and share alot of history together. We first met in the fruit and veg isle of our local supermarket. He was buying some Carr-ots and I was looking for the Ava-Carr-do's. We just hit off and developed a close bond. Although he has mood swings (he can be a bit of a Jimmy Crankie) and is often a little difficult to understand (he's somewhat of a Jimmy Riddle) we share a lot of common interests. We both have a love of travel and often go to Carr-diff. Or Carr-digan. Or Red-Carr.

And guess what form of transport we use to get there? That's right....a motorcycle.

One with a side-carr.

He also loves animals - just look at the evidence. He is big mates with me, he writes in Zoo magazine and hosts a show called '8 out of 10 cats'. Mmmmm....cats. All in all, he's a great guy and I was delighted that he had the time to send his good pal this message.

Away from Jimbo, some quick news for my army of 'Triple F's': I am back racing, tomorrow night (Thursday), at 9.40pm. It's over 475 metres and I am coming out of trap 2. Not my favourite, but there you go. It is in the esteemed Chas & Dave testimonial race (They wrote their song 'Rabbit' for me - yummy) so I'll be doing my best. Keep an eye out.

Must get back to training now - later.

Peace. Love. Woof.

Flying Frank

A busy doggie

Hello to one and all.

Well, things have gone bananas round Claverhambury kennels in the last few weeks and I thought it was about time I did a little recap for you all. For one thing, the media have gone crazy. Esteemed publications in which I have appeared in recent weeks include BBC Sport Online (which you can see in the picture), The Sun Online (twice), Daily Express, Daily Star Sunday, The Sunday Times, Racing Post and my personal favourite, the Walthamstow Guardian. Not forgetting those great gallahs on the Australian Greyhound Recorder who are also featuring the original Frankster. I've even been on the telly, with appearances on Channel 425 and BBC London to my name. Check this out - things have even got so mad that I have my own fan-site. I love it - don't know who this guy is, but I am flattered. Go right now and read it yourself at www.iloveflyingfrank.moonfruit.com .

I don't want anyone to forget what this is all about though.

Incase you are new to my site, I have launched my own campaign to save the mecca of greyhound racing, Walthamstow Stadium, from closure. There are some big, nasty men who are itching to get their hardhats out and bulldoze the place. Put a stop to this madness by signing the petition at www.savethestow.com

On the downside, while I have been hitting the headlines everyone has come out of the woodwork and wants a little bit of The Flyer - the telebone has not stopped ringing. I've had offers of endorsement deals (a carpenter wanted to launch a new product called The Flying Plank) and TV shows ( I was asked to go on "Stars in their eyes" as Lassie) but I just want to keep focused on what is important. I'm still me after all - a bit rrrrruff around the edges maybe, but still just a working lad from Ireland making his way over here.

So for now, I only care about four things:

1) Winning races (next race rumoured to be either Thursday or Saturday - you will be the first to know)

2) Saving The Stow

3) Rachel Stevens (mmmm....Rachel Stevens)

4) Continuing to collate my celebrity messages

On the last one, please feel free to get involved yourself. I have gathered around 25 myself, but I need as many agents in the field as possible who can collect these for me. We already have a couple (Agent Leigh, you are da man!), but I want the big one - my namesake, Flying Frank Lampard. My army of Triple F's - go get him!

That's all for now, speak soon and welcome to my new readers - drop me a line if you like at woof@flyingfrank.com

Peace. Love. Woof.

Flying Frank

Kells Bells

Hello everyone,

After my victorious win at the end of last week, I decided to take a few days off, as well as keep in touch with a few of my celebrity friends (one of whom you can see in the picture, but more about her later). I wanted to have a change of scenery for a few days, so I decided to take off to Manchester, where some of my old friends were in town.

I have some long-time buddies who originally come from a place in North Manchester called Bury (something us dogs enjoy doing). A few years back they moved across the Pennines to Leads (something us dogs definitely don't enjoy) before settling in Puppy New Guinea. They were back in town for a few days so we decided to head down to Belle Vue greyhound stadium where a few of my mates - and lady friends - hang out. Added to that, England were playing at Old Trafford, where my namesake 'Flying' Frank Lampard came to the rescue and shot England to the world cup (come on the Re-pup-lic of Ireland tonight!).

Incidentally, Lamps is someone I would really like to add to my gallery of stars - anyone who can get him would net themselves Platinum membership of the Triple F club (which stands for Friends of Flying Frank). I am sure my owners would throw in a Scampi and chips at The Stow as well.

Talking of celebrities, you will see that another close pal of mine has left an encouraging message for me. It is none other than the queen of morning telly, Lorraine Kelly, or Special LK as I call her. She is a true gem and even though she wakes up at the crack of dawn every morning....ahem, ask me no questions and you will get no lies.....she is a truly bonny lass. I watch her every day on GMTV (Greyhound Morning Television) and it really sets me up for the day. She is fully behind the Save the Stow campaign (go to www.savethestow.com now to sign up) and for many years has been a Lorraine of sunshine in my life. Infact, I have been thinking about naming my first daughter after her. I was going to give her two first names, hers and that of my first girlfriend, Keisha. Somehow though, Keisha-Lorraine doesn't sound right - it just makes me hungry.

Got to go now I'm afraid, but a bit of general housekeeping first:

- The date of my next race has not been set. I am going to move up a distance to 640 metres and we could be looking at next Tuesday.

- The Rachel Stevens competition is still running, so get your answers into woof@flyingfrank.com

- www.savethestow.com continues to gather signatures from across the globe. Big shout going out to the Office of the Australian Prime Minister!

Speak soon doggie-lovers.

Peace. Love. Woof.


Flying Frank

Hat trick

Hello people,

Firstly, if you have come here for the Rachel Stevens competition (mmm....Rachel Stevens), then fear not, it is still up and running. Scroll down below and get your answers in quick smart to woof@flyingfrank.com. Whilst you're at it, make sure you sign my petition at www.savethestow.com .

Enough of Rachel then, and more about me, me, me. Last night I flew to my third victory as a professional race dog and I am as happy as Larry. There really isn't that much to tell you about the race itself - I came, I saw and I conquered. Whilst I wasn't in the lead from the off (I still have a 'trapping' problem where I don't start as best as I could), it was a controlled performance even if I do say so myself. Never in doubt, the bookies fancied me too with many of them only offering evens on The Flyer.

The best thing was that it was a trophy race with £100 for the winner. That's what happens when you power to victory in the Sargasso Sea Restaurant Stakes which, for your information, is widely acclaimed as the 'best fish restaurant' in Winchmore Hill, er, I mean the UK. Run by my good friends Dawn and John, they run a steady ship there. Let me tell you, it is the plaice to go to if you want good fish. Oh my cod - you just won't believe the quality so you should try and mussel your way in if you can. When I went there I was feeling a bit under the weather. I was suffering from a cold and a Haddock but I was so glad I went - definitely my Kipper tea. I'm not really a modest bloke - infact some say I'm a bit shellfish but I just have to share with you how good the food is here and how helpful and friendly the Starf(ish) are.

What's more, after my win I got presented with a lovely clock as a trophy, which means not only am I winner but a punctual one too! Actually, the clock doesn't exactly work, but it is right twice a day at least. Enjoy the picture above - it's of my owner, me, the trophy and Dave the part-time handler. Please don't ask why I have that startled look on my face. Safe to say I am in talks with my lawyers.

So there you have it - I am back doing what I do best and that is winning races. There have been some very dark moments in the last few weeks.

They said I couldn't come back from an injury like that.

They said my best days where behind me.

They said I would be glue soon.

And that was just the other dogs in the yard.

I've heard before that when the chips are down you can only rely on your family. Well it's true and I dedicate this victory to the people who helped me through this difficult time - Jono, the chaps at Frank PR, Rachel Stevens (yummy yummy in my tummy) but most importantly, Dave the part-timer.

Am gonna have a blinder of a weekend now - have a good one yourselves and chat soon.

Peace. Love. Woof.


Flying Frank

Rach for the stars (and WIN! - read on...)

OK, so another top notch celebrity and Friend of Flying Frank has got behind me, as shown on the left. This is a note from none other than Rachel Stevens (or The Stevie Wonder, as I call her) who visited the Stow last week and sent me this message to let me know that we are still friends.

It reads "Dear Flying Frank, Sorry I missed you, next time maybe. Lots of love - Rachel." To tell you the truth, whilst we have always got on famously, we did have a bit of a barney a while back and I SAID NEVER AGAIN (coincidentally, the name of Rachel's new single, out today and easily downloadable from www.rachelstevensofficial.com ) but she called me up and told me to COME AND GET IT (That's the name of her new album, coming to an HMV - the doggie on their logo is an old pal of mine - near you on 17th Oct). I thought best to leave it though - lovely girl, but let's just stay good friends. The Puppyrazzi would have a field day and always be on our tail and I don't think it's fair to get Rachel mixed up in my complicated celebrity lifestyle. Let's leave those memories in the past.

WIN WIN WIN

Anyway, because we are still such good pals, The Stevie Wonder has given me a signed copy of her new album to give away to a Friend of Flying Frank (Triple F). To win, you just need to do the following:

1) Go to www.savethestow.com and sign up to my campaign. This is an online petition to save Walthamstow dog track from closure - you know Rachel would want you to.

2) Once you have done that, send an email to woof@flyingfrank.com , with the subject title 'mmmm....Rachel Stevens...'

Include your name, age, address and complete the following tie-breaker:

If Rachel Stevens knocked on my front door I would.....

Okey-dokey, I have to go now. Jono has got me training in a minute (we are thinking either Thursday or Saturday for the next race) and I can see a luvverly laydee up against a tree....ahem, best wishes to all my Jewish triple F's - Happy New Year.

I will speak to you all very soon.

P.S. - One of the youngest Triple F's, Isaac Beech, has had a tough few days and I wanted to give an extra special big shout out to him and all the doctors and nurses at Wythenshaw Hospital. Isaac is only eight years old and is a real brave lad. The Flyer hopes you get better soon mate.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Cheeky Chappie

Well, you can see from the picture to the side of me that the celebrity backing for me, my blog and my www.savethestow.com campaign goes from strength to strength. The latest to 'pop' up is my good friend and music guru, Nicki 'Chappers' Chapman. I know that she is an avid reader of my blog, as shown in her 'jokes' written on her message - 'hope you're not feeling ruff', 'you're my pup idol' - hmmmmm, not sure about this. You don't see me sitting on a table in Tamworth leisure centre telling bad singers to aimlessly 'follow their dream', do you? No, that's right, I couldn't do it. Leave the gags to me, Chappers.

In any case, Chappers is a lovely lady and we have been friends for years. She has always given me some great advice about the music industry. She told me that the best way to connect with my audience is to firstly find a genre of music that will speak to people - in my case Rock 'n' (water) bowl - and secondly, to go out on paw, sorry, I mean tour. There may be a future for me in the music biz after I have finished my racing days - who knows? There is often talk about a collaboration with other dog-related acts, such as Snoop or Mutt-ya from the Sugababes but I am not so sure - it's a cat eat cat world out there and I might just prefer to spend the days lazing around with my friends at the kennel.

As far as the here and now is concerned, things continue to gather pace. There has been continued interest in me and my campaign to save the stow. If you haven't done so already, get your fingers clicking onto www.savethestow.com and help rescue the home of greyhound racing from the claws of some big nasty men. As far as racing goes, your favourite greyhound will be back in the traps soon. I am chilling this Saturday (Bollywood Buzz is on the Pakistani Channel - must see TV, so I asked Jono if I could skip the Stow for one week) but hope to be running again either next Tuesday or Thursday.

That's all for now.

P.S. - Big shout out to my good friend Chrissy C. Can't wait to see what you've got buddy!

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Short notice

It was all a bit last minute, so apologies to my blog die-hards, but I ran again on Saturday night.
Jono kept it as a surprise as he knew I would get too over-excited if he told me in advance.

Being frank I would race every day if I could after having such a long spell on the sidelines out with injury. But Jono wants me to take it slowly and get my fitness levels up again. So there I was in trap 2 in the 475 metre A5 8.11 race at the Stow in front of packed house. When I say packed, I mean packed. How they can even think of knocking the place down and developing it into a housing estate is beyond me, given the amount of people that love a night out at the dogs? Remember, you can help prevent it happening by signing my online petition at www.savethestow.com now.

I've never run particularly well out of trap 2 you know and maybe its getting to me a bit mentally when I see my handler (usually Dave, although he's only part-time) approach me with that blue bib to wear. There was also a bit more pressure coming from the fact that the bookies were making me the favourite.

Anyway, there I was looking at my blue number 2 vest, pawing away a slight speck of sand picked up from the parade, thinking how much better I look in red with that nice number 1 on when those traps flew open. No wonder I got off a bit slowly and reached the first bend one from last.

But going down the back straight I felt my injury woes just disappear and I flew through the field. Coming up to the final bend I was right on the heels of Alfies Stream and looking forward to overtaking him and lapping up the glory of win number three. But Alfies an experienced greyhound and he cut me up half way through the bend. I lost a few lengths on him as a result but picked up the chase again when we hit the final straight. I just couldn't catch him before the line and he beat me by 1/2 a length. I was disappointed not to win, but the race did me a lot of good and on another day I would've done him.

Alfies gave me a sly little smile back in the kennels. Sure thing Alfies I thought to myself, just wait till next time...

Comeback race

Well, it was a good runout at least.

Following my injury, I had my comeback race the other day and the main aim - for me to come through unscathed - was achieved. A clear night at The Stow, the beer was flowing, the scampi and chips plentiful and the conditions perfect. Bit of a pity the stadium wasn't full - but then it's always quiet on a Tuesday. I felt pretty good on my way to the track and even though Little Dave the handler wasn't with me (he's only part-time), at least Jono my trainer was there with my owners from Frank PR (see picture - Jono's the one in the tie).

So the hare came round, the traps flew open and to be honest I didn't get a great start. I staggered, stumbled a bit and eventually found my line. I think that's known as a 'Pete Doherty'. I was a fair bit behind but, save for a little knock on one of the bends, I felt strong and I felt good as I crossed the line in third place. Not too concerned - like I said before, I just wanted to get back on track.

It now promises to be a very busy week which, naturally, I will keep you pupdated on. Please go to www.savethestow.com and if you've already done that, check out my webchat with my pals at The Sun Online - http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2005430009,00.html .

Have a good week people.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

The comeback trail

Hey people....Jeez Louise, these last two weeks have been hectic to say the least. Regular readers of www.flyingfrank.com will know that I have spent the last few weeks 'on my back' injured and, save for my appearance at Jordan and Peters wedding, I haven't really done all that much. You will recall that this followed my last race, where I sped out of the traps and got shafted by those hounds Woodlands Vieri and Show the Light. Fear not - they will be sleeping with the fishes fairly shortly.

To beat off the boredom of my convalescence, I started up the 'Save the Stow' campaign. There is alot to update you on this (in particular the small matter of your favourite Greyhound being splashed across the Newspupers - The Sun Online, Express and Walthamstow Guardian to name but three), but I will leave that for another day - in the meantime, make sure you sign up at www.savethestow.com and help salvage the home of Greyhound racing.

One of the few things that kept me going during those dark days was the good wishes from my friends, in particular those from olympic champion and BBC TV personality, Sally Gunnell. She really looks out for me and keeps me on track in my personal life. Before I knew Aunt Sally (as I jape with her), I thought Sally Gunnell was a golfing term but we have formed a close bond and I have no qualms about putting my feelings about her into (s)print. I know that sometimes she blows hot and gold about our relationship, especially when I have the runs, but I always jog her memory about the good times and we remain good friends.

Which leads me to the point that....I am back in the saddle again! Tonight is my comeback race at The Stow. I am in trap 2 in the 21.14, The Harlow Racing Stakes. There is £100 and a big daddy trophy up for grabs, but I just need a run-out to be honest with you. I don't want to play it up too much, but if I do win, I am thinking about having an open-top bus tour in Trafalgar Square. Will keep you posted and let you know tomorrow.

In the meantime:

- sign up at www.savethestow.com

- email me at woof@flyingfrank.com and show that you care

- spread the word about the Flyer to all and sundry.

P.S - Big shout out to my good buddy Sam on the Greyhound Recorder in Australia!

Speak tomorrow.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Injury over - flying again soon....

I was back at The Stow yesterday afternoon. Jono took me down there for a time trial.

When you've been out injured for a while you have to run against the clock - not other dogs - to post a qualifying time and be eligibile to run again in competitive races. The good news is I was back to my speedy self, flew round the bends and should be back in contention for the real thing within the next 7 days. Look out for details of my next race: I'm fit, hungry and raring to go.

It was a lovely day down at The Stow yesterday and the first time I've been there in person since I kicked off my 'Save The Stow' campaign (www.savethestow.com). Hundreds of people have signed up to my online petition so far and being in E17 yesterday, looking around my theatre of dreams, taking in the atmosphere of the mecca of the dog world, brought back to me what an important campaign this is. So, if you haven't already, go and sign and let's stop in their tracks George Wimpey PLC's plans to turn the Stow into houses.

Peace. Love. Woof.

Flying Frank

Save the Stow - sign the petition

These are very busy times indeed - and I need your help.

News has reached me that plans are afoot for the home of Greyhound racing, Walthamstow Stadium (AKA 'The Stow'), to be sold to a property developer called George Wimpey. Obviously, with over 70 years of heritage, it will be a massive blow to Greyhound Racing in the UK and an even bigger blow to your good pal, Flying Frank. I nearly hit the woof when I heard - I mean, where will I race if they get rid of the stow?

Not good news, I am sure you'll agree. Which is why I have decided to do something about it.

I have set up an online petition at www.savethestow.com

Please go there, sign it and then forward onto as many people as possible.

It will only take 2 minutes. My plan is to present this, in person, to both George Wimpey and the owners of the stow to convince them to change their minds.

Obviously, I have been deploying my celebrity pals to see what support they can lend and I am delighted that my good buddy Science - or the Sciencemeister, as I know him - has chipped in with a little experiment of his own. Someone said to me that I don't know him from atom, but that's not true at all. We have built up a great chemistry together and although I haven't spoken to him for a while (I kept him on the back bunsen-burner), I knew he would come through for me.

You can still keep up to date with all my goings-on here at www.flyingfrank.com but please, please, sign on at www.savethestow.com

That website again - www.savethestow.com

Thanks.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Me & Mr Jones

Being on the 'rest list' has meant that I've been watching plenty of TV lately. I've invested in a home cinema for my kennel, complete (of course) with sub-woofer and like most of the pupulation, I've been gripped by the Ashes.

So it was really nice for my pal and England's best bowler Simon Jones - Jonesy to the Flyer - to send his good wishes. A couple of people have said to me "isn't it brilliant that he can swing it both ways?" Not sure about that one. I always thought Jonesy could easily bowl a maiden over. Terrific guy as well - he has no airs or WG Graces about him and he's a wicket bloke.

Like myself, Simon is laid up with an injury at the moment. In order to get fit for the final test against the Aussies, he's having stints in an oxygen chamber to cure his ankle injury. I asked Jono if I could have the same sort of treatment so I can get back on the track as soon as possible. He said that nearest I'd get to any 02 would be if he let me borrow his phone.

When the cricket hasn't been on I've been a bit stumped on what to do with myself. Luckily, it's my second birthday tomorrow so get your messages in to woof@flyingfrank.com asap!

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Thursday and still injured...

I’m feeling a bit easier and little less sore, but I’m still on the “rest list.”

In addition to the anti-inflammatories and Neurofen, I’ve been having massages every other day with the intention of getting rid of some of the stiffness. I guess Jono doesn’t realise that these massages are having quite the opposite effect. Woof woof!

Anyhow, Jono’s away on holiday at the moment so Dave, aka ‘Dave the Handler’, is running things. He’s a lovely fella and tried to cheer me up today with his favourite greyhound joke…

A Greyhound, a Doberman and a Bulldog are in a bar having a drink when a good-looking female Collie comes up to them and says: "Whoever can say liver and cheese in the same sentence can have me."

So the Doberman says, "I love liver and cheese." The Collie says, "That's not good enough."
The Bulldog says, "I hate liver and cheese." She says, "That's not creative."
Finally the Greyhound says, "Liver alone....cheese mine."

That Dave, he’s a funny man.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, it’s my birthday next week. On September 1st I’ll be two. Send your love and adulation to woof@flyingfrank.com

I’ll publish the best of your best wishes.

Peace. Love. Woof.

Bark & Ryde

Well it hasn't been a very easy time for me lately. Although I am remaining positive, the situation I find myself in is annoying. When you are a top class professional athlete, it really hurts when you can't do what you do best. OK - what I do second best (we all know what I do best, don't we chicas?).

Luckily though, a good buddy of mine has been in touch and it has really helped lift me while I am on the 'rest list'. Above, you can see my good friend, TV's Anna Ryder Richardson, who has taken time out of her Changing Rooms schedule to drop me a line. As well as being an interior decorator, The Ryde-ster is like a lifestyle guru to me - she doesn't allow me to gloss over any situation (she prefers a matt finish) and although she is as daft as a brush, she has a real energetic (white) spirit about her. Full of integrity as well - I know she would never take a backhander or any sort of bung (alow). We have only once had a falling out - and that was all my asphalt.

Anyway, although her wishes are nice to hear, my next race is still a while off. Jono has suggested I relax for a few days. I am chasing my tail round here, so I might head down to my favourite watering hole, the Walk-about in Hyde Bark, for a pint of Volvic (since my two wins, I don't do tap water no more). I will update you on my activities in my next posting.


One last thing - you may be interested to know that I was on the racecard at the Stow on Saturday night, despite everyone knowing that I was out of action (they announced I had 'withdrawn' minutes before the race). hmmmm....wonder why they kept the news from my adoring public? In future, make sure you log on here for all the news, straight from the horses mouth (well not horse, dog you understand, but....oh, you get it.)

OK, I'm outee - don't forget to go to the Sun webchat!

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

P.S - shout out to my good pal FB - enjoy catching those rays on the bitch!

Battered and bruised

Before I came into the world of professional sport, I'd always heard athletes say that the worst part of their job is being injured.

Well guess what? Here I am laid up in my kennel....injured.

You can see from my last posting at whose paws the blame lies, but I'm not one to bear grudges. 'Let sleeping dogs lie' is my motto.

After getting home the other night from my race I felt OK. I watched the football. England were rubbish, but the Denmark players were useful, great Danes you could say.

But I woke up feeling very very different. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and took my usual stroll to my favourite tree to do what boy dogs do to start the day. I could hardly walk. I was in absolute bloody agony. I limped back to the yard, hobbled towards my kennel and then Jono appeared, he could see something was badly wrong.

The vet came round asap and gave me a full once over. As usual I couldn't stop myself giggling when he asked me to cough. He took Jono to one side and they chatted in the corner out of ear shot. I feared that Jono and the vet would come back over and say the words that strike fear into the heart of every greyhound - "I think it would be best if we helped you have a little sleep now...." It would be fair to say I was Shih Tzu'ing myself.

They didn't (hence this blog still has a dog). It turns out I'm sore, bruised, have muscle damage and perhaps a tear.

Jono has put me on what's known in the greyhound racing business as 'the rest list.' Basically that means no training (or racing) and lots of massages for the next couple of weeks.

I'm going to be dead bored so any messages of support would be greatly appreciated. I will also be very busy answering all your questions in my webchat with The Sun Online, so please click onto the link here:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2005370601,00.html


Don't worry fans, I see this injury as only a blip in my racing career, a minor spaniel in the works as they say. I'll be back.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

(PS. I've asked Jono if I can have my massages at the same place Wayne Rooney has his.)

(PPS. I've been asked to say allegedly about the above PS.)

The Sun - I love it

In the greatest partnership since Mr Golden got together with Mrs Retriever (you know what I'm sayin'), I have linked up with the Sun Online. It is already my favourite news-puper and since my good buddies over there at the online section asked me in for a webchat we have got very close. They even made up their very own, limited edition, front page (above - pretty nifty, huh?).

This also means that I am welcoming a whole new band of visitors to the site. A big shout out to all my new Triple F's (Friends of Flying Frank), especially to the chaps at www.whelansolicitors.ie who visited me at 4.55pm this afternoon - ahoy there, I bet you are a bunch of Legal Beagles!

To read all about me, and to submit your favourite question, click onto:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2005370601,00.html

You can also enter an exclusive competition to win a trip down to the stow, to see me run, with my owners (apparently they are quite slow over 640 metres and prefer trap 2), so what are you waiting for?!

As far as last night goes, I would prefer not to talk about it. For the last 24 hours, it has been going around and a-hound in my head, replaying itself over and Rover again.

I had a massive crowd from Frank PR ( www.frankpr.it ) down there to see me run - nearly 20 infact - and I was feeling quite confident. One thing was getting at me though - before the race, I saw Woodlands Vieri and and Show the light having a little bitch about me, saying that my blog was rubbish and that my owners smelt bad, that kind of thing. So I came out of the traps and, lo and behold, Dogs 1 and 5 (and guess who they were!), both went across me, thumped me, whacked me up in the air and put me out of the race. I limped home last, several lengths adrift.

I don't think I have any lasting injuries (I used to suffer from Collar-flour ears) so hopefully all will be OK. To cheer myself up, I went down to my local barkade to play on the machines. All I can tell you is, these boys are no longer chums of mine and they had better watch out. Yeah, that's some fighting talk for you from the Flyer!

OK, so that's it for now people. And don't forget to send your questions into The Sun Online - I can't wait to see them, so get cracking!

Speak soon.

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Well, the details for my next race are in and my good friend Teddy Sheringham - or Shezza as I know him - came round the other day to wish me luck. Throughout his career, the Spurs & Man Utd legend has never been too busy to show his devotion to dogs, as you can see from his message here.

There should be a big turnout on Tuesday and because Jono has rested me for the week - he said he didn't want me to get dogged down with the never ending cycle of training and running - I feel as fit as a fiddle. What you need to know is:

Tuesday night, 16th August at The stow

Race 13 (unlucky for some)

22.20 (I'm only a puppy, its a bit late!)

The Give A Stow Dog A Home Stakes (catchy I know)

640 metres

Trap 1 (mmmm....trap 1)

£160 to the winner (blow it all at Charlie Chan's after) + Trophy (now you're talking).

I know my owners are going - if you are popping down let me know! Also, don't forget to send your pics and emails to woof@flyingfrank.com

Peace. Love. Woof.
FF

The Triple F challenge

Hey People,

Well, the entries are in, counted and verified by our judges and the results are posted below. You will remember last week I challenged you all to send in your questions to me, the dog with a blog. I had a huge response from all the members of the Triple F club and the winner is.......my good friend Tatum! Your email really touched my heart and you win a special prize - I will email you soon with the details.

For the rest of you, you can take up the next Flying Frank challenge. The cute picture above was sent to me via my good friend Goldie the Dog, which gave me the inspiration for the next task. I want your photo messages! please send your visual memorandum of goodwill to me at flyingfrank@frankpr.it and I will print the best one!

In the meantime, enjoy this week's challenge results below...

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

-----Original Message-----
From: Pipa Unsworth
To: Flying Frank
Subject: Ask Frank

Dear FF,
Is Frank short for anything…Francis? Francesco? Or is it just Frank?

P.L.W.

Pipa (short for Philippa)

FF Says: You may have seen my posting last week Pipa, in which case it will come as no surprise to you that Frank is short for Francophile, as in 'an admirer of France and everything French'. I love everything about the country. I did witness an accident once though - when I was there a man jumped into the river. He was later declared in Seine.

-----Original Message-----
From: Charlotte Hickson
To: Flying Frank
Subject: QUESTION

Frank - do you have a good hangover cure? Maybe you'll suggest "hare of the
dog" but it just doesn't seem to work for me. Had a fairly heavy weekend
and still struggling today. Any help very happily accepted.
Charl x

FF Says: Chas, Many thanks for nicking my gag there - do it again and I will ban you from the site. Only kidding! Kind of.

Seriously, I would simply recommend taking a headache tablet. Don't try and buy it near the Zoo though - the parrots-eat-'em-all.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Tuchband
To: Flying Frank
Subject: A Question for the dog

Dear Frank...

I often like to psyche myself up before competing in various strong man events by listening to some tunes . I was wondering, what sort of tunes gets you going...?
Would it be something like...
'Ain't nothing but hounddog'? Something by 'Snoop'...or maybe even the prodigy in 'Smack by B*tch up'??

Thanks...

Loyal fan

FF Says: Jon - I have wide musical tastes from Grrrrrrr een Day to Doggie Williams to Yazz and the plastic Pupulation. I also enjoy chilling out to a little Bark once in a while and I enjoy the theatre - my favourite musical is Hare. My favourite musician of all time is the Red hot Chilli Peppers guitarist, Flea, and obviously my number one track is Walthamstow.

-----Original Message-----
From: marc@loftfashion [mailto:marc@loftfashion.com]
To: Flying Frank
Subject: question

FF
What is the secret to your success???
From
Marc, in South Africa

FF Says: thanks for the question Marc.

The Secret of my Success is, of course. a 1987 film starring Michael J Fox as Brantley Foster (aka Carlton Whitfield). A young scamp from the country, Brantley comes to the big city looking for a job and ends up coping off with his bosses wife instead! Thought you'd catch me out there did you?!

-----Original Message-----
From: Charlie Greig
To: Flying Frank
Subject: dear frank,

dear flying frank

i heard about you winning the dog racing cup. well done frank! i hope your great moment of fame was all you hoped it to be. im sure you will win all of the races you are in in the future. i would love to come to see you win the trophy in the next race you are in. you are possibly the best dog that there is. you are so cool.

what is your favourite park?

lots of love tatum
age:11

FF Says: Tatum - It's really nice to hear from you. Your words are very kind - and you know what? I think you might be the youngest member so far of the Triple F club (Friends of Flying Frank) - of course this makes you very special and my number one fan!

To answer your question, I always have safety in mind and so in this day and age the place I prefer is a multi storey car bark.

-----Original Message-----
From: Gemma Witcoop
To: Flying Frank
Subject: Hello the flyer

It was lovely to hear about your family life, it really brought a tear to my eye, you are just like your father, and I think that’s wonderful. It’s almost a shame that you couldn’t put some music on your blog during certain parts. I could hear the soft, melodic music in my head when reading about your life!

Anyway, I have a question.

Now that you are a celebrity are you only friends with famous people or are you in touch with your old pals too? Maybe you keep in touch with them on the old dog and bone?

Keep up the good work the flyer

Peace, love, woof

FF Says: Gemma, the same applies to you re: nicking my gags. Don't do it again.

However, you sound a particularly attractive young lady and so I am only too happy to answer. Despite all my celebrity pals, there is absolutely no danger of me displaying any diva like traits - no matter what happens, I will always keep my feet on the hound.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Cornell
To: Flying Frank
Subject:

Flying Frank,

Hello my name is Wolfgang. I'm a German shepherd but now living in Barking. I have just made a TV appearance in France on "Kennel Plus".

I would really love to mate with you.

What do you think? Half man half dog?

Not seen since lynn Faulds Wood stopped presenting Watchdog.
Fancy a rut mutt?
Wolfie x

FF Says: Good to hear from you. I remember Barking from a while back - good place, but I prefer my pad down on the Isle of dogs now. Seems like you enjoy a bit of TV too...I mainly prefer the big screen myself. K:9 with Kevin Spacey was my favourite film of recent years. Also a big fan of football - I think Didier Dogba and Jermain Dogfoe will have great seasons this year.

In terms of meeting, you may have misheard - I am a GREY-hound.

-----Original Message-----
From: SILVESTRO GIUSEPPE
Subject: richiesta informazioni.

Dove posso trovare i frigoriferi portatili della Amstrad nella zona di Venezia ?
Grazie

FF Says: Silvestro, Io posso dare solamente consiglio su correre, non su fridges Lei la ciambella.

Pace. Con amore. Abbai.

Just not my night...

Apologies that this update is on so late - I have only just got my yaptop back from the repairers, and I know you are all desperate to hare what happened last night...

Well I won't lie to you - I had a minor setback and ended up coming in second last, or fourth first as I prefer to call it (trap three was vacant). From the moment I came out of the traps, I never really got going. I was behind at the first bend and was chasing from there on.

Am pretty philosophical about it - I put my non-win down to the new contact lenses I am trying out at the moment. Didn't really like the optician who fitted them the other day. As soon as I walked into his surgery, he started making a spectacle of himself. I mean, I was listening to what he was saying (I always was a good pupil) but I think he had been out on the lashe the night before and so I just plugged in my eye-pod and tried to ignore him. To cut a long story short he started blaming me for not taking care of my vision (I was framed) and he was frankly a pain in the glass.

I walked out eventually and I need to go to someone who understand my needs. Vision is very important to a Greyhound and I don't like the relationship I have with this optician - I can't see a future in it.

Will write more after the weekend (including the full list of 'Ask Frank' requests). Jono says he has a treat for me for the weekend so will tell all in a couple of days!

Remember to keep your 'Ask Frank' questions coming to flyingfrank@frankpr.it - your very last chance.

Have a good one people and remember, if you see a dog - get her number for me...

Peace. Love. Woof.

FF

Race 10 and other stuff

Hello Fans,

I hope you are all doing well after the weekend. As for me, I had a really chilled out couple of days. I took a lady friend to Paris and we had the most magical time. Amongst other things we enjoyed a romantic walk down the Bark De Triomphe, visited the Louvre to look at the Bona Lisa and also spent alot of time on the Chomp Elysees. More than anything, it meant that I could be left alone without the puppyrazzi being on my tail the whole time. All in all, very relaxing.

Anyhow, enough of my weekend antics. Just before I launch into my posting though, a bit of general housekeeping...

1) The details of my next race have been announced. I am (hopefully) flying out of trap 2 in the 8.36 at The Stow, this Thursday 4th August. Come and see me, email me for good luck, have a punt on me or just keep your fingers crossed - it is all appreciated.

2) Regular readers - or Triple F's - will know that the topic this week is 'Ask Frank'. This means you can send me your question on any subject under the sun. I have got some great posers in already and I will be posting them all up later in the week. As usual, get your questions into flyingfrank@frankpr.it

Now that that is done, on with today's post, dedicated to two very important people in my life...

Mum and Dad

I'm getting a bit conscious that so far on this blog, you only see the rock 'n roll side of my life and haven't yet got to know me properly. What with one race after the other, the celeb bashes, dates with wannabe models and the like, life goes on at such a pace that I sometimes don't have time to let you in on the stuff that really matters to me. So I'll start with those that brought me up by hand, Mum and Dad, or as we say in Ireland, Mum and Dad (Picture of Daddy is above).

In case you weren't aware, I was born in County Clare, Ireland, on September 1st 2003 to my parents who were paw, but happy. My Mum's name is Ard Flash and my Dad is called Bypass Byway. He's where I got my racing genes from and I look up to him. He's retired now, but the pinnacle of his career came when he won the Greyhound Derby in 2002, setting the course record in the process. He often tells me about that night, the crowd, the buzz, the post-race celebrations. Oh yes, and the not so small matter of the 150,000 Euros prize money that set him up for life. Believe me he was larging it after that win - it was Evian in his bowl all the way.

Sadly, that was his last race. He doesn't like to talk about what happened next, but I think that all the fame and the glory just caught up with him. He was never really a dog that liked being in the public spotlight and there he was, cameras flashing everywhere he went, reporters doorstepping him, investigative journalists probing into his past trying to dish the dirt. It got to the stage that he even found a secret camera hidden in his water bowl. As you know by now, this kind of thing is an occupational hazard that his son takes in his stride - sadly though, It all got too much for Dad and he called it a day.

Mum on the other hand was never really the racing sort. She ran a few races in Cork, but found the female dog circuit, as she always puts it, as "a little too bitchy" for her liking. I guess its a bit like women's professional tennis in that respect. She also mentioned that she was often pestered by some of the butch-er girl dogs, or "gayhounds" as she still refers to them.

I phone home every week or so to speak to Mum and Dad. Jono is a bit tight about letting me use his landline so I've got myself a tariff with Vodabone that's not bad value.

So there you have it...I hope you've got to know me a bit better now - I didn't want to give you the impression that I'm a bit shallow and just over here for the champagne lifestyle. London is a daunting place for a puppy and E17 teaches you a fair bit about life. I'm learning the whole time, I'm sure I'll make mistakes, but with your support I'll get through.

More about family life later and my brothers and sisters. All 541 of them (well they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh ladies?).

Love. Peace. Woof.

FF