Dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have gone from rags to riches after following in the paw prints of some of Tinseltown’s most-loved canine movie characters.
Hounds from the world famous animal charity have been mimicking legendary movie star mutts as the Home gears up for its Hollywoof themed Collars & Coats Gala Ball on Thursday 7 November.
Lady from Lady & The Tramp and Toto from The Wizard of Oz are some of Hollywood’s most recognisable doggie icons, but this time the stars of the show are some of Battersea’s four legged friends who loved ‘pawsing’ for pictures with Battersea staff in place of their better-known canine comrades.
The images accompany new survey results which show the UK’s favourite dog movie is Disney’s Lady & The Tramp, followed by Marley & Me and the Wizard of Oz.
Gaining top spot in Battersea’s poll, Disney’s classic Lady & The Tramp is loved by all, including Bull Terriers Frank and Roxy. The romantic tale of an uptown Cocker Spaniel and a streetwise downtown stray is Battersea’s favourite fido film. At the time of its release in 1955 it was the highest grossing Disney cartoon since Snow White.
There’s no place like home for Cairn Terrier Alfie who looks the part as the nation’s third favourite Hollywood hound Toto from the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. The 1939 musical fantasy adventure, which won two Oscars, tells the tale of Dorothy and her canine companion Toto who embark on a journey to the land of Oz. Pictured as Toto is Alfie, who was rehomed from Battersea earlier this year after he was abandoned outside a shop.
Large slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux Hooch from the 80s hit movie Turner & Hooch is expertly played by one year old former Battersea resident Bentley, who was adopted from Battersea after being handed in by his owners. In the film Hooch becomes a partner in crime fighting to Tom Hanks, and 12 per cent of people in Battersea’s poll said the film was their favourite Hollywood dog movie.
Battersea Chihuahua Chilli Bean takes the law into her own paws as Bruiser in this interpretation of the 2001 comedy Legally Blonde. Little Bean was found as a stray and taken to Battersea’s Old Windsor centre where she required an operation for a deformed leg. She made a speedy recovery and now lives with three Staffies and a Collie.
Taking eighth place in Battersea’s poll, Jack Russell Uggie rose to fame in 2011’s Academy Awarding winning silent movie The Artist. Just like Uggie, former Battersea Jack Russell Molly has a few tricks up her paws including ‘beg’, ‘roll over’ and ‘spin’, and is a natural in front of the camera.
German Shepherd cross Duke as K9’s Jerry Lee next to his sidekick played by Battersea Veterinary Surgeon Phil Robinson. One year old Duke was brought into Battersea when his owners working hours changed. The 1989 movie tells the story of a maverick cop who enlists the help of a police dog to help him fight crime. K9 was voted the people’s sixth favourite doggie themed film.
Giant St Bernard Moo Moo came to Battersea as a puppy at five months old before being rehomed in November 2012. He is the spitting image of the nation’s fifth favourite movie star dog Beethoven whose antics spawned seven feature films from 1992 to 2011 that became a hit with younger audiences. Thankfully Moo Moo has not caused quite as much chaos as his film star alter-ego.
Battersea’s Hollywoof themed Collars & Coats Fundraising Gala Ball is taking place on Thursday 7 November at Evolution, Battersea Park. Homeless hounds from across Battersea’s three centres will be lining the red carpet and rubbing their furry shoulders with a host of celebrities including Battersea Ambassadors David Gandy, Amanda Holden, Paul O’Grady OBE and Dame Jacqueline Wilson. For more information visit www.collarsandcoats.org.uk