Hollywood star dog 'pens' memoirs!

Every dog has his day!

A canine named Uggie, who has starred in many Hollywood blockbusters, including the Oscar-winning The Artist, has now launched his memoirs after hanging up his boots. 

Despite officially retiring from show business earlier this year, 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who is the first dog to have his prints immortalised on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just couldn't resist one last lick of the limelight.

So the world's most famous dog has taken a path well-trodden by many retired Hollywood bipeds, writing his memoirs titled Uggie: The Artist -- My Story.

He relied on the assistance of British journalist Wendy Holden to complete the book. But he wouldn't be the first screen star to have a little behind-the-scenes help on the writing front.

Judging by the crowds queuing around the block to give Uggie a pat on the head at his first British book signing yesterday, his fans were only too delighted to see him take on the literary world, the Daily Mail reported.

If he was tired after jetting in from promotional appearances in Paris, he didn't show it, performing tricks for his adoring audience under the glare of dozens of cameras at Waterstones book shop in Kensington.

Looking every inch the screen star in his studded collar with an elaborate gold bone pendant, he also signed copies of the book with a neat paw print.

The book tells the story of Uggie's rise from abandoned puppy to one of Hollywood's biggest stars under the guidance of his owner, dog trainer Omar Von Muller.

Holden, from Suffolk, said she contacted Von Muller about working on a book after seeing Uggie appear in The Artist as Jack, the trusty sidekick of fading matinee idol George Valentin, played by Jean Dujardin. 

"Uggie's journey from a rescue dog to star of the silver screen is a classic rags to riches story which can happen to animals as well as humans," Holden said.

Uggie got his big break appearing alongside Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in the drama Water For Elephants. But it was the Oscar-winning film The Artist that catapulted him to global stardom and awards glory. 

Uggie's retirement was announced in February after he began suffering from a "shaking syndrome" caused by a neurological disorder. But there were no signs of health problems yesterday as he greeted his fans, who were thrilled to meet their canine 'hero' in the fur.