Meet some of the dogs of the festival

As we head into the last week of the Fringe, here are four entirely gratuitous pictures of dogs their comedian owners have brought to Edinburgh to boost your spirits...

Dotty: Lulu ​Popplewell

Dotty is an angel imbued with the breath of Satan for balance (her breath is actually a lot better now to be fair – she’s had four teeth out and looks so silly if you look into her mouth. Why are you looking though?). 

She’s been coming to the Fringe since 2018 and distributes her time as follows: 60 per cent being passed from lap to lap of comedians/techs/venue staff she knows and loves, 20 per cent being unconsentingly grabbed by the hot, grubby hands of strangers, 10 per cent watching shows/being at my own show and demonstrating utter disdain by immediately falling asleep, 10 per cent misc and free play.

Lulu Popplewell: Love Love is on at Underbelly George Square at 6.45pm

Ralph: Lauren Pattison

There are two things in life that are guaranteed to light up any green room:

1.Salacious gossip 
2. The presence of a dog

Does Ralph care about ticket sales? No, for he is a dog. Does Ralph share our frustration at the existence of 3.5 star reviews? No, for he is a dog. Does Ralph think eating leftover mystery kebab meat for a fourth night in a row during the Fringe as your sole sustenance is a good idea? Yes, for he is a dog.

My four-legged best pal might not have laughed at a single one of my jokes or even sent a word of encouragement my way but the sight of his waggy tail as I walk through the door post show feels like 5 stars and a standing ovation to me.

Lauren Pattison: Big Girl Pants is on at Monkey Barrel at 1.55pm on Tuesday only

Bertie: Liam ​Withnail

Named before we realised she was a girl (we were very sleep-deprived), Bertie has been Fringe-adjacent for a while now – mostly just trying to find somewhere soft to nap that isn’t a flyer bin. 

Once, Marjolein Robertson locked eyes with her during a hormonal moment and burst into tears. Bertie didn’t flinch. She has a calming presence, the quiet dignity of a dog who’s witnessed me practising my show in the living room. 

She’s seen me bomb, watched me google my own name, heard me bitch about whoevers doing well. — and slept through it all. She offers no notes, just vibes. Truly the most grounded of us all.

Liam Withnail: Big Strong Boy is at Monkey Barrel at 6.10pm

Sophie Ellis Barkster: Tamsyn ​Kelly

This is Sophie’s second fringe, and her head is already full of possible atrocities. Yes she is very cute, but she is very evil! The Captain Hook to my Smee - we will all live by her law and do as she decrees. If you see her at the fringe DO NOT APPROACH HER, if you are chosen, she will approach you. 

Comedians: meeting the Queen can be an intimidating moment, but once you are friends she will smoother you in ‘love’. Like the time she saw Marc Jennings on the Royal Mile and got so excited she pissed herself.

Tamsyn Kelly’s Hot Titty Bungalow is at Monkey Barrel at 4.20pm

Published: 17 Aug 2025