Barking Blondes: Pooches on the box, doggy boutiques and Paul O’Grady

Two new dog-themed television series burst onto the box this month, along with the trend of endlessly popping a pooch into a commercial, it is proof of the increasing popularity of dog ownership.

Putting dogs on ‘the box’ is dangerous territory, we should know as we probably contribute to a large percentage of it. You only have to read some of the weekly comments under this blog to realize that where animal welfare is concerned, there really is a fine line between entertainment and education.

Paul O’Grady’s series set in Battersea Cats and Dogs Home is brilliant. A true animal lover with his own farm, this is the perfect vehicle for the comedian. His dog Buster broke new ground a while back when he appeared by O’Grady’s side on his daily chat show. The much-prized china images of Buster are now appearing on ebay. Sadly, he is no longer with us but his popularity, when O’Grady made the transition from comic to presenter, was a massive contribution to the chat show’s success.

This new series takes us on an emotional journey behind the scenes of the country’s most famous rescue centre. O’Grady’s obvious delight and then despair at the dogs he is introduced to throws up so many issues. If we truly are ‘a nation of animal lovers’ how can we possibly excuse the inhumane, cruel behavior of some owners towards their pets? The programme offers no solutions, it is not over-produced or heavily scripted, but simply allows the presenter to be as soppy or as incensed as he feels.

Some kind executive producers must have phoned O’Grady’s agent and offered his client a project as recompense for years of interviewing a sofa full of celebrity ego maniacs. And thank God, they did.

Then there is ITV 2’s Top Dog Model, we have to come clean and admit that at the beginning of the summer we were screen tested as presenters for this series. Deep in the heart of Soho, along with our dogs Molly and Matilda, we were called into a studio and on camera were shown a series of photographs. Each was a head shot of a dog and we were asked to comment on their image. The format was still a bit sketchy and we waited to hear back from them. We are still waiting.

Is the programme entertaining? Is it educational? Does it exploit dogs? Does it ridicule owners? It’s an area we have been forced to confront over the years given our history in the media. Should dogs become models? Well, our two have been in front of a lense more often than us. Did they know what was expected of them at the time? We will never know. They usually pose for treats.

Were they dressed up? Yes. On occasions. Sometimes for practical reasons, such as coats for keeping joints warm but sometimes for comic effect. Were they amused? They didn’t seem to behave any differently than when they weren’t dressed. Doggy boutiques along with dog portraitures are springing up everywhere. Some may say that it’s another sign of overindulgence.

This week, Battersea Cats and Dogs home ironically expressed a growing concern over an increased number of spoilt pets. On the one hand they deal with the effect of man’s cruel sadistic nature and on the other, they watch us killing our dogs with love. Over fed and over indulged. We have bred a generation of “I want I get “ children. Is this now reflected in our care for domestic animals?

We urge you to dip into both TV series and tell us what you think. We know which one has our vote but then again, it may just be sour grapes.

Barking at the Moon is on every Thursday from 10pm to midnight on BBC London 94.9FM

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• Somerset2

  That’s a very interesting point about a generation that doesn’t know how to look after their pets. I agree, the celeb ’small dog in handbag’ pics in the media do portray dogs as fashion accessories rather than animals. We live in a world where, despite all the efforts of David Attenborough, we are becoming so removed from nature there are a whole bunch of kids out there who don’t know where there KFC comes from and that’s a bit scary! Great blog again ladies, keep up the good work!

• http://twitter.com/MrHappySW11 MrReasons2BCheerful

  It’s sad to say that dogs are now considered a fashion accessory by ill-informed people who have little understanding on an animal’s needs. They buy these “teapot” dogs little realizing – in some instances – the pain the animals have been through to achieve something unnatural.
  We have seen overbred dogs on TOWIE (where for the sake of “good TV(!)” we watch a dog pee or poo on a carpet as the rather stupid owner looks on thinking it’s funny.
  Now the likes of Top Dog Model – dressed up in the guise of what feels like an X-Factor format comes to our screens to suggest that owning a dog could be lucrative. It makes me so cross that a TV company thinks exploiting dogs is GOOD TV. Wake up! It isn’t!
  Thank goodness for Paul O’Grady, who brings the human element of the cruelty man can inflict on animals in the name of fashion back down to earth.

• http://twitter.com/MrHappySW11 MrReasons2BCheerful

  Oh, forgot to say – great blog!!

• PlasticBiddy

  Someone should put O’Grady in a box and nail down the lid.

• madgooner1

  What happens to the dog who wins Top Model? More commercials?

• Janis Carroll

  They need to invent a new word for Stacy Solomon. She’s not bright enough to qualify as cretin, idiot or moron.

• marcbletchley

  evening jo and anna
  my early memories of dogs on tv was that barbara woodhouse lady other then cartoon tv dogs im a bit out of touch as i dont have a tele anymore.
  the dogs that i take notice of these days are mollie and matilda and mr beezeely super dog with dave and sally cash and of coarse the fine show on a thursday 10pm barking at the moon on bbc london 94.9.
  cheers all and woof woof from bletchley towers

• http://twitter.com/PeterEgan6 Peter Egan

  For once good evening Jo’, Anna, Matilda and Molly,
  I’ve just got back from a trustee’s meeting of the Dog Rescue Federation in Sodbury near Bath. An unfortunate name for a place and one I’m sure Oscar Wilde could’ve used to good effect in “The Importance of Being Earnest”. However, a two hour drive each way, so am feeling a bit cream crackered!
  Apropos your blog, coincidentally, the main topic of our conversation was careless breeding of dogs. Which is the reason why charities like Battersea Dogs Home exist in the first place. I think Paul O’Grady does a terrific job in drawing attention to this horrifying situation in the series, it is a problem which gets worse and not better. Why? There is a fatal flaw in human beings, who confuse “what I want” and the desire to have it, with the real feeling of responsibility and commitment you need to have, in order to bring a puppy into your home and into your life on a permanent basis. Fads and fashion, influence a lot of young people when the choose to have a puppy. Handbag dogs and weapons or Pudsey’s after Britain’s got talent.

  I worry about the lightweight exposure certain dogs get in the media because it creates a throwaway appetite for animals. As you say yourselves “I want it, I get it” and then when you’re bored, or fed up with the commitment, throw it away.

  Our pets deserve better from us.

  Woofs and love to all

  Peter (-:)

• Richard Turpin

  I’ll second that.

• 5brian5

  Hi Ladies: There may be a fine line between entertainment and education, but you girls have found the perfect mix of both. I find everything you do, both in this blog, and on 94.9 very tasteful, amuzing, helpful and of course humane. I wish you would syndicate your blog as well as B.A.T.M. woldwide. XFM / Sirius, ect. $$$! As for overpampering pets, it always disturbs me to see seriously overweight dogs and cats on television, with the owner and presenter laughing and telling everyone how cute it is. On the other hand, the people who gave me my cat, handed her to me looking anorexic. They said that they wanted to get rid of her because they couldn’t afford to feed her. In reality, they couldn’t seem to force themselves to cut down on pricey cigarettes. My cat now has anything she wants. The food bowls are always full of two separate things she enjoys, along with fresh water at all times, even though she prefers to drink out of the kitchen sink where I leave a small porcelin bowl. When i’m here, she gets constant attention and affection, and is treated like anyone else. If she ever looks like she’s gaining too much weight, I’ll deal with it before it becomes an issue. When I see the number of cats and dogs running loose who are not cared for, I don’t think there is such a thing as over pampering a pet. (within reason, of course) By the way, when i’m not home, BBC London is left on to keep her company. Matilda’s snoring is the perfect background sound for a catnap! Great Blog! Thank-You! Brian (Detroit) xxxx