If you were in east London a few days ago, you may have wondered if you were seeing things.
Was that really a pug wearing a crown? Is that terrier really wearing tweeds? But no, you weren't hallucinating, because on Monday, hundreds of people and dogs gathered in Spitalfields Market for the third Paw Pageant, a feast of canine style organized by Lilly Shahravesh, founder and designer of luxury canine label LoveMyDog.
The whole thing was in aid of Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, and the dogs competed to win in four special categories: Dog El Ganger (best lookalike, won by a terrier in a deerstalker who went as "Sherlock Bones"), Radiant Rescue (for adopted dogs), Dog's Got Talent and Dressed Up to the Canines (the last two don't really need explanations), and were led on parade by models who strutted their stuff in clothes by brands such as NW3 and Jigsaw.
The judges included celebrated photographer Rankin. Organiser Shahravesh said “Everybody who is involved does so on a voluntary basis and what we all have in common is a love of dogs. It’s a good laugh and a great day out.”
Dog PANTIES from Dog GlamourAdvertised
A decade ago, I might have been surprised to see such an event on this side of the Atlantic, but not anymore. Because Irish people can't seem to get enough of animals in outfits. There's a shop quite near my house called Glamour Dogs, which opened in Fairview bang in the middle of the recession and to my general surprise seems to be going strong. It offers dog grooming services but also sells a variety of canine ensembles, from bomber jackets to tutus. I know this because every time I pass it I gawp in the window to see what amusing canine customers are inside (ages ago I noticed what I thought was a toy dog in a jacket lying in the window. Imagine my amazement when the tiny yorkie leapt to its feet as I passed and started barking at me).
It seems that north Dublin dog owners have no problem in dressing their pets in canine couture. I, however, am torn. While I find the sight of a pug in a jumper or a terrier in a deerstalker as adorable as the next person, I can't help worrying if that cute dog dressed Sherlock Holmes is just waiting to tear its hat and cape off. Do dogs like wearing bonnets and dinosaur outfits? Or do they find them horribly uncomfortable? I can never just enjoy the cuteness because I'm worrying about whether the dog is happy or not. Though I have to admit most of the contestants in the Paw Pageant looked pretty chilled.
(Above: Penneys, the , eh, Fido Collection:top to bottom, Gilet €5, Bow Gilet €5, both available September)
So do you think animal outfits are just a bit of fun? Does your dachshund like to wear a cape, or your terrier a tiara? Or do you think dressing animals up in amusing ensembles is basically cruel? It's a purely academic question for me - I have a cat, and if I tried to dress her up in anything I'd probably lose an eye...
