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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 29 February 2008
 
TVpresenter Ben Fogle was in the Mucky Pup this week, as single dog owners went speed dating TVpresenter Ben Fogle was in the Mucky Pup this week, as single dog owners went speed dating
Their eyes met across a crowded room... then they fought over a chew toy

TALES of dog-walkers finding romance in the park may have a nugget of truth in them but for those who found themselves single on Wednesday night, dog-friendly pub the Mucky Pup offered a solution.
A speed-dating night for singles and their dogs evoked childhood memories of the romantic spaghetti scene in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, except the canines preferred to chew on dog biscuits – or each other – and their owners were busy analysing each other on a score card.
The one-off event, held at the pub in Queen’s Head Street, off Essex Road, was to ­promote the new ­Disney movie 1001 ­Dalmations, although for the romantic hopefuls who came from all over London, this ­didn’t detract from the serious business of finding love.
And judging by the noise and playfighting, the dogs were also up for a bit of flirting too.
The event was ­introduced by TV ­presenter Ben Fogle who met his future wife after eyeing her up while walking his own dog in Hyde Park.
“We both had spotted each other but it took about six months before we breached protocol and chatted,” he said.
“This is one of the most extraordinary evenings I have ever been to.”
Couples had four ­minutes to chat before a bell sounded the ­signal to move on, prompting chaos as the women tried to ­extricate their sleeping, excitable or just plain stubborn dogs from under the tables.
Due to a slight shortage of women, several men had to contend with chatting to their dogs while they waited their turn. Gerald Abrahams, 33, who came from ­Chessington, said: “I’ve done a few speed-dating events.
“Maybe it’s better in a park where the dogs can run around.”
Tim Slade, 50, from Battersea, who brought along Wandsworth, a Lurcher, said: “It sounded like a great idea and I thought it would be chaos and fun to watch.”
Nick O’Hare, 50, who came with Cleo, said: “It’s a lovely idea, ­people who like dogs are a breed apart ­anyway.”
Mucky Pup owner Kenny Rumbles stressed the event was a one-off.
He said: “We did it for a giggle. We’re a music-led pub and our client base is more from the rock side of things.”
He said the pub has a promising line-up of live bands to look ­forward to in the coming months.

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