Hypnodog

Hypnodog is a canine stage hypnotist act, based in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales. [cite web|url=http://www.onstageregister.com/141/Corporate-Hypnotist-Hugh-Lennon-and-HypnoD.aspx|title=Corporate Hypnotist Hugh Lennon & HypnoDog|publisher=OnStage Register|accessdate=2008-05-10]

Professional hypnotist Hugh Lennon discovered Oscar, a 10 month old black Labrador Retriever puppy, on a farm in Yorkshire.cite news|url=http://www.citsu.ie/publications/backissues/volume5/january2004.pdf|title=Hugh Lennon and Oscar the Hypno-Dog|last=Clifford|first=Tim|date=2004-01|publisher=ExpliCIT|accessdate=2008-05-10] 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". [cite book|title=Petspeak: Share Your Pet's Secret Language!|editor=Pets, Part of the Family|publisher=Pets, Part of the Family|date=2000|isbn=1579540775|accessdate=2008-05-10] Lennon maintains that a number of dogs and other carnivores have a natural ability to hypnotise prey.cite news|url=http://archive.thisisdorset.net/2001/8/7/97819.html|title=The eyes have it as Milo the hypno-dog joins the show|date=2001-08-07|work=Dorset Echo|accessdate=2008-05-10]

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.Fact|date=February 2008 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. [cite book|last=Duckworth|first=Michael|coauthors=Gude, Kathy|title=Countdown to First Certificate Workbook|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|date=1999|isbn=9780194533522|url=http://fds.oup.com/www.oup.com/pdf/elt/catalogue/0-19-453354-9-a.pdf|accessdate=2008-05-10]

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. [cite news|url=http://archive.thisisdorset.net/2001/7/31/98142.html|title=Wanted: Dog with entrancing looks|date=2001-07-31|publisher=Dorset Echo|accessdate=2008-05-10] 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. However, Lennon currently works with Murphy, one of Oscar's sons.cite news|url=http://archive.bournemouthecho.co.uk/2005/8/15/110428.html|title=Completely barking?|date=2005-08-15|publisher=Bournemouth Daily Echo|accessdate=2008-05-10]

Lennon and the Hypnodog have appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including This Morning [cite web|url=http://www.twisterscomedyclub.co.uk/tuesday_night.htm|title=Hugh Lennon and Hypnodog|publisher=Twisters Comedy Club|accessdate=2008-05-10] and Kelly, [cite web|url=http://www.thekellyshow.com/wacky.html|title=Wacky World|publisher=UTV|accessdate=2008-05-10] and at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. [cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/music/leeds_festival/festival_2004/lineup_comedy.shtml|title=A festival of fun|date=2004-08-20|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2008-05-10] [cite web|url=http://www.strathstudents.com/pages/whats_happening/freshers_week_2007/monday_24_september.html|title=The Union|publisher=University of Strathclyde Students' Union|accessdate=2008-05-10]

External links

[http://www.hypnodog.co.uk/ Hypnodog home page]

References