Hypnodog

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Hypnodog is a canine stage hypnotist act, based in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales.[1]

Professional hypnotist Hugh Lennon discovered Oscar, a 10 month old black Labrador Retriever puppy, on a farm in Yorkshire.[2] Lennon states that initially he bought Oscar as a pet and brought him to shows for companionship, but "one night I brought him on stage with me. He started staring at this girl and she fell into hypnosis, without me doing a thing".[3] Lennon maintains that a number of dogs and other carnivores have a natural ability to hypnotise prey.[4]

In 1995, Oscar made headlines in the UK and all over the world, when he went missing while appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland.[citation needed] Oscar is also familiar to many students of English as a second language, as materials about Oscar and his act are featured in the Oxford University Press English language course.[5]

In 2001, after 12 years performing, Oscar's eyesight failed and he was no longer able to hold the penetrating stare necessary for stage hypnosis.[6] Open auditions were held at the Weymouth Pavilion for a replacement dog; the eventual replacement chosen was Milo, a three year old German Shepherd-Rottweiler crossbreed.[4] However, Lennon currently works with Murphy, one of Oscar's sons.[7]

Lennon and the Hypnodog have appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including This Morning[8] and Kelly,[9] and at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[10][11]

[edit] External links

Hypnodog home page

[edit] References

  1. ^ Corporate Hypnotist Hugh Lennon & HypnoDog. OnStage Register. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
  2. ^ Clifford, Tim. "Hugh Lennon and Oscar the Hypno-Dog", ExpliCIT, 2004-01. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  3. ^ (2000) in Pets, Part of the Family: Petspeak: Share Your Pet's Secret Language!. Pets, Part of the Family. ISBN 1579540775. 
  4. ^ a b "The eyes have it as Milo the hypno-dog joins the show", Dorset Echo, 2001-08-07. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  5. ^ Duckworth, Michael; Gude, Kathy (1999). Countdown to First Certificate Workbook. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780194533522. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  6. ^ "Wanted: Dog with entrancing looks", Dorset Echo, 2001-07-31. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  7. ^ "Completely barking?", Bournemouth Daily Echo, 2005-08-15. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  8. ^ Hugh Lennon and Hypnodog. Twisters Comedy Club. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
  9. ^ Wacky World. UTV. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
  10. ^ A festival of fun. BBC (2004-08-20). Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
  11. ^ The Union. University of Strathclyde Students' Union. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.
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