Well, I caught Oscar fever this week. Inspired by the 14 Irish nominations, I decided that I was going to the movies, come what may.
I went onto the world wide woof and discovered that there was a dog-friendly screening of Legally Blonde at the Pálás Cinema, in Galway. It’s a small arts cinema and it seems they’ve been putting these events on for some years and I never knew.
I got some tips from my friend Lassie and herded the hoomans into the car and barked directions in their ears and it wasn’t long before we arrived, rushing indoors before the rain came down.
Of course I was wearing my favourite designer, AG Dog Fashion but there was no sign of a red carpet for me. I really must have a word with my agent.
We were first to arrive but shortly we were joined by lots of lovely dogs and their hoomans. We doggies had a lovely meetup and sniff while the hoomans organised drinks and popcorn. I’d already seen to it that my bag of treats were packed so I was all set.
The screen itself is downstairs but it’s lovely and they even provided fluffy blankets to keep us warm and cosy in our seats.
Before long, we were all settled with around 30 dogs ready to watch the film and cheer on our favourite character, Bruiser the Chihuahua – and yes, I had to look up how to spell that!
Although I say it myself, all of us doggies behaved ourselves impeccably and there was only the odd bark when something exciting happened on screen. I dozed for the parts of the film when Bruiser wasn’t on screen but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I wonder will they show Reservoir Dogs next? That has to be about dogs surely?
After the film, we doggos had a quick meeting and photoshoot and decided we were going to make this a regular thing. I can’t wait for the next one.
We managed to escape the rain and got to Mocha Beans for a quick cuppa, and dogs are very welcome there.
On then to my favourite Galway haunt, The Twelve, for a bite of lunch. I would have said a quiet bite of lunch but the rugby was on so the bar was very loud but it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
Herself had the catch of the day, while himself had the roast beef and the sight and aroma of it had my mouth drooling and wishing for even some of it to fall on the floor. I was out of luck though and he polished it all off.
Our lunch companions in the next table over had also been to the screening so we had another good catchup with two lovable pugs.
Finally, we went back towards the city, to The Secret Garden, where we had coffee and cake. We met a couple of lovely women who told us a story about their home town, Sligo.
It seems a farmer there dreamed all his life of owning a Westie – he had great taste. He finally got a lovely female Westie and was very happy until a year or so later decided he’d like her to have pups.
The only male Westie he knew of was owned by two genteel spinsters, so he approached them delicately to see if an accommodation could be reached. The response? “I can assure you that our dog knows nothing about such matters.” I suppose I could say the same thing about myself!
I can exclusively reveal that the next doggie friendly screening at Pálás will be DC League of Super-Pets on April 16th at 11:30.
To mark the 45th Anniversary of Superman they are screening a few different superman movies, and this is the one earmarked for dogs. Dress-up is encouraged!
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association