Just a year ago, RSPCA rescue dog Sophie was in need of a good home – but now she’s the star of her very own show.

The adorable two-year-old terrier has proved to be the perfect magician’s assistant to her devoted Carleton-based owner, magic man Ian Brown.

And she’s living proof that you can actually teach a new dog old tricks – as she has taken to her new career like magic.

Like Sophie, Ian is relatively new to magic having been accepted to the Bradford Magic Circle in December last year. But he’s already very accomplished and performs everything from card tricks to illusions with faithful Sophie by his side.

Her starring role at present is to push a little cart with a pack of cards in it across the stage and under a table, coming out with the appropriate card in her mouth.

Her life in the spotlight is a far cry from her younger days. “When she was about six months old, her owners could no longer look after her so she was taken in by the RSPCA,” said Ian.

“After some months of coming and going and re-homing other dogs, but not her, Sophie was eventually adopted by someone. Great news for Sophie but, alas, after just one week they returned her to the RSPCA due to biting and bad behaviour.

“The biting wasn’t biting at all – just what’s known as mouthing, which playful puppies do and can be trained out of. Sophie wasn’t really the dog companion I was looking for but, what the heck…we’re not all perfect.”

Ian says it’s been painstaking work training Sophie, but she’s responded extremely well, thanks in part to her great success at dog training classes. And the double act is happy to provide free shows to local charities to gain more experience of performing live.

“Practising at home without distractions is a whole different ball game to being on stage and we badly needed opportunities to practise while not being expert enough to offer our wares commercially,” said Ian.

“Someone came up with the brilliant suggestion that we approach rest homes for the elderly and offer our services. This we did, along with various Beaver, Cub and Scout groups and we have had a number of takers around Skipton.

“We are still looking to perform and support any local community group for their entertainment or fundraising.

“When doing a show I have sometimes got children to towel-dry and brush Sophie. Any children a bit apprehensive about dogs get to brush her teeth – Sophie loves the toothpaste I use! I have no concerns about the children coming to any harm doing this. Sophie loves people, especially children.”

In her latest trick, Sophie performs on a skateboard in an hilarious routine called “The Vanishing Bandana”.

“What she’s achieved is not bad for an over-excited dog that, less than a year ago, had spent six of its 12 months in an animal sanctuary, unwanted by anyone,” said Ian.

* Anyone who would like to take advantage of Ian’s offer can contact him at IanBrownMagic@aol.com.