Who Let the Dogs Out?
By Helen Murphy
Once again, Kings Road in St Leonards was transformed into a party place. A Pedlar’s Party. It was part of the wonderful ‘A Town Explores a Book’ celebrations. There was music, gypsy caravan street seating, delicious food, interesting ciders, juggling, hula-hooping and glorious sunshine. And, of course, a fancy-dress parade for dogs!
Anyone who knows Hastings and St Leonards knows that is a very dog-friendly town. Caroline Gregory and Jude Montague had a big part to play in organising the canine catwalk. Jude commented, “dogs are part of St Leonards and Hastings life. As soon as I moved here, I became aware of just how many dogs people had and their love for dogs. They are everywhere – on the seafront, on the Kings Road, strutting their stuff with their families. Puppies, disabled dogs, terriers, and poodles; all loved by generous owners. My life here is richer for them. Lockdown has
been a time many dogs have enjoyed with their owners at home. But now, we need to ensure we continue to care for them.”
Left to right: Bryan and Jasmine; Ronnie; Ness and Coco
CREDIT: Helen Murphy
There are those, of course, who will dislike the idea of dressing up dogs, or any animal. Jude does, herself, use the word ‘controversial.’ My dog, Baxter, would have destroyed any costume within minutes but then he is a Border Terrorist. However, the dogs on this wonderfully warm afternoon were, understandably, not all that keen on extra cladding. Most of the dogs chose to be naturists. In the event, the dog parade was more of an eccentric piece of street theatre. Some dogs, such as Ferris, were natural performers and could do a spontaneous doggy high-five with the proud owner. Others, like Burlington Bertie the beautiful whippet, simply exuded a certain regal disdain for cheap crowd pleasing. His owner, Keith, seemed even more proud of Bertie’s ability to do as he liked. Elvis and Gus, the French bulldogs, looked particularly piratical in their jaunty neckerchiefs. Little Jasmine, the fifteen-year-old poodle, was resplendent in her pale blue coat. And Ronnie took the biscuit, with her Minnie the Mouse outfit.
In truth, there were so many dogs of all shapes and sizes that establishing any sort of hierarchy was going to be almost impossible. Faced with the tricky task of judging was the ever-elegant Ness Newman. Ness is a fashion designer. She says she specialises in “making dog coats and human clothes.” She herself has modelled on the catwalk, for people like John Galliano and Italian Vogue. She also has a degree in the History of Fashion. Evidently, she was suitably qualified to judge Hastings high-end dogs. (Although she did admit that her own dog, Coco, had refused to leave the house in a dress.) Her decision, after some agonising, was that “everyone is a winner.” Doggy treats, on brilliantly designed rosettes, were liberally handed around.
The whole event was in some ways just a small part of a much larger tableau of Kings Road revelry. It was like being part of a Breughel painting with different things going on in every corner. Including, appropriately, Jude Montague’s group performance of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band’s ‘Urban Spaceman.’ But, generally, the dogs were rather unruffled. But then, as Auden said, I suppose, whatever human drama unfolds, “dogs go on with their doggy life.”
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