John Howard's toy poodle epiphany

Mar 4, 2026

John Howard, a former Kings Cross street kid who rebuilt his life after prison and brain injury. He recounts life on the streets, escaping custody, and hitting rock bottom with alcoholism. A toy poodle named Sunny triggers a personal transformation. He later creates a lemon-scented dog poo bag business and finds stability through sobriety and small daily routines.

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ANECDOTE

A Taxi Driver Rescued Him From Near Death

A passing taxi driver found an emaciated, DT-ridden John in a lane and drove him to a detox unit, then hospital, saving his life.
John was weeks from death, weighing seven stone with severe infections and DTs.

INSIGHT

Simple Notes Can Rebuild Broken Cognitive Routines

Alcohol-related brain damage can impair basic tasks like filling forms and knowing dates, but structured memory aids aid recovery.
John used a notepad for years, writing names, meal times and bus numbers to relearn routines.

ANECDOTE

Housing Cooperative Gave Structure And Skills

John moved into Ningana, a housing cooperative run by lesbian separatists, which provided him a studio and stability while contributing minimal rent.
The cooperative offered structure, social meetings and a chance to learn domestic skills like cooking.

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The former Kings Cross street kid on his time in prison, recovering from an alcohol-induced brain injury, the puppy called Sunny who showed him what love is and how buying car parking spaces set him up for the rest of his life.

Warning: This episode contains sensitive topics and reference to physical violence against women.

John Howard came from a dysfunctional and often violent home in the outer suburbs of Sydney, and when he was able to, he ran away to the dank but promising Kings Cross of the 1960s and 70s.

He would see Abe Saffron having dinner at the local Bourbon & Beefsteak joint and John found himself doing odd jobs for his sex worker friends in exchange for somewhere to sleep.

John was caught up in a horrific assault and in the following years he found himself in jail and then drawn to drinking.

At his lowest point he was rescued by chance by a passing taxi, and taken to hospital to recover from an alcohol-induced brain injury.

As he was recovering, it was a toy poodle puppy called Sunny who showed John what love and affection were — and from there he was able to build his life for the first time.

Further information

You can call the National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence counselling service on 1800-RESPECT or 1800-737-732.

This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan. Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It covers topics like homelessness, alcoholism, prison escape, solitary confinement, toy poodles, lesbian separatism, disability support pension, brain injury, Callan Park hospital, Rozelle Hospital, getting sober, quitting alcohol, Kings Cross, street kid, sex workers, drug use, drug addiction, prostitute, Bourbon & Beefsteak, Abe Saffron, The Coconut Grove, doggy poo bags, pooper scoopers, Potts Point.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.