Two-year-old long-haired Jack Russell Billy is fast becoming one of York’s most-loved Instagram stars.
Billy is a much-loved member of the Brunton family, a pet who they’ve owned since he was a puppy.
And now he has more than 2,000 followers on his Insta channel.
Phoebe Brunton, 17, is behind Billy’s rising social media stardom.
She knew her furry friend Billy was someone special from the start.
“When he was a puppy, my grandma was receiving treatment for cancer, and instead of getting overexcited with her like he did with everyone else, he curled up next to her as if he wanted her to get better,” she told YorkMix.
“My grandma has now fully recovered and Billy loves seeing her – on FaceTime at the moment.”
He also proved a comfort to Phoebe’s dad after he lost his mum “putting his paw on top of is hand as if he was holding it and telling him that everything would be OK”.
Big hit on walks
When out on walks in his Huntington neighbourhood, he always received a lot of attention from passers-by, from smiles to strokes.
So Phoebe decided to create his Instagram page – @dogcalledbilly. And her regular posts of her daft dog and his antics has proved a hit.
“He makes people smile in a horrible time for everyone,” Phoebe said. Billy’s posts receive comments like: “I love seeing him in my newsfeed he brightens up my day.”
“Billy is special because of the funny traits he possesses, such as sitting with one of his legs stretched right out, running round and round the front room to get dry after a drizzly walk, and making funny noises like he’s trying to talk to us,” Phoebe said.
“His favourite foods are cheese and carrots – we’re surprised he hasn’t turned orange.”
Billy is often referred to as ‘the neighbourhood watch’ due to his constantly sitting by the window keeping a look out. Phoebe added: “all the postmen and women laugh at him when they deliver post!”
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