Hypnodog

Hypnodog is a canine stage hypnotist act.

Professional hypnotist Hugh Lennon discovered Oscar, a 10-month-old black Labrador Retriever puppy, on a farm in Yorkshire.[1] 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".[2] Lennon maintains that a number of dogs and other carnivores have a natural ability to hypnotise prey.[3]

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.[4] 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.[3] However, Lennon later worked with Murphy, one of Oscar's sons.[7]

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

Hugh retired his act in 2007. Hugh Lennon is now deceased and will be remembered for his work as an extra in Star Wars - A New Hope, where he played the part of a Stormtrooper on the Deathstar as well as a rebel in the briefing room and medal ceremony.

See also

References

  1. ^ Clifford, Tim (January 2004). "Hugh Lennon and Oscar the Hypno-Dog" (PDF). ExpliCIT. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  2. ^ Pets, Part of the Family, ed. (2000). Petspeak: Share Your Pet's Secret Language!. Pets, Part of the Family. ISBN 1-57954-077-5.
  3. ^ a b "The eyes have it as Milo the hypno-dog joins the show". Dorset Echo. 2001-08-07. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  4. ^ Bitee, Gunna (1995-12-17). "U.K.'s "Hypno-Dog" Dazes Audiences". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  5. ^ Duckworth, Michael; Gude, Kathy (1999). Countdown to First Certificate Workbook (PDF). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-453352-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  6. ^ "Wanted: Dog with entrancing looks". Dorset Echo. 2001-07-31. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  7. ^ "Completely barking?". Bournemouth Daily Echo. 2005-08-15. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  8. ^ "Hugh Lennon and Hypnodog". Twisters Comedy Club. Archived from the original on 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  9. ^ "Wacky World". UTV. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  10. ^ "A festival of fun". BBC. 2004-08-20. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
  11. ^ "The Union". University of Strathclyde Students' Union. Archived from the original on 2008-07-26. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
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