Why I love: A shaggy-dog story

Orla Brady, actor

Saturday 19 April 2008 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

I love this dog I saw once at Borough Market in south-east London. When I saw him I was late for rehearsal, and I ran past him, but then I had to turn back and say hello.

He was a Parson Jack Russell, sitting there with his justifiably proud owners. Usually smaller dogs are arm-candy but he had a punky attitude, a swagger. In a canine production of Oliver! he'd be the Artful Dodger.

He reminded me of my own lovely mongrel Phineas Finn – named after the Trollope novel – who is huge, shaggy-haired and untrainable, like a cartoon character. When we got him from the pound they said he was fully grown at 45lb; now he's 85lb. He is the Fagin of the dog world. He lives at home with my husband in LA; sadly, though, he can't seem to use the telephone.

Triptych, by Edna O'Brien and starring Orla Brady, is at the Southwark Playhouse, London SE1 (tel: 0844 847 1656), until 10 May

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in