THEY say showbiz is a dog eat dog world, but thankfully the phrase fell short when a pet and her puppet counterpart crossed paths.

The canine star of The Story Museum's new Christmas show found its match at rehearsals yesterday, meeting the real-life dog that inspired its design.

Piddler the puppet dog was crafted by Abingdon-based illustrator Rob Jones, for the Oxford museum's festive production WISH.

It was based on Lucy the Labrador-lurcher cross, which is owned by the museum's head of communications and fundraising, Sophie Hiscock.

She said: “It’s all terribly appropriate - our Christmas show is about wishes and tales of dreams coming true, and I had a 20-year campaign to persuade my husband to get a dog - Lucy is my wish come true.”

Speaking before the dogs met, she added: “She is going to come nose-to-nose with herself - I just hope she doesn’t chew it!”

WISH previews for a discounted price this Friday and the production runs until Sunday, January 6.

It is being staged at the museum’s pop-up home at 41 Oxford Castle, in the Castle Quarter, while £6m redevelopment works continue at its base in Pembroke Street.

It was inspired by folktale the Pedlar of Swaffham, about a man who pursues a dream alongside his dog.

Music and songs will be performed by David Gibb, while the man will be played by Bodicote-based actor Tristan Pate, who is also artistic director of the Cherwell Theatre Company.

Mother-of-three Mrs Hiscock, who lives in South Oxford, joked with a colleague that if any dog should star in the show, it should be hers.

The colleague then sent a picture of Lucy to Mr Jones, who crafted a replica - complete with shiny black coat and a scarlet collar.

The Story Museum’s Christmas shows are in their fifth year, and Mrs Hiscock was pleased this year was no exception despite the renovation works.

She added: “The show has got a great format for a solo performer combined with traditional tales and music, which is suitable for younger families and intergenerationally.

“It’s a great first interaction to live performance for little ones - storytelling really captures them and holds their attention.

“You see rows of faces completely in the moment. It’s really magical.”

Mrs Hiscock said the team was grateful to Landsec, which owns the Castle Quarter, for allowing use of unit 41.

She added that ‘story is imbued in the site’, as it was also the temporary home for Oxfordshire County Library before it moved to the new Westgate Centre.

Renata Allen, writer and director of WISH, said: "I’m thrilled to be working with The Story Museum again on this very festive production.

"For some of the youngest members of the audience, this will be their first experience of theatre, and it’s a real pleasure to be able to create such an intimate and magical show for that occasion."

For tickets, timings and prices see storymuseum.org.uk.