directing anger at awards show

Thankfully, there is a charity component to the first Golden Collar Awards, which recognize canine contributions to film.

Otherwise, the Feb. 13 event would be just another vanity-driven dog-and-pony show in Hollywood, as evidenced by the recent intervention of famed director Martin Scorsese. He was miffed that the contest’s organizers at Dog News

Daily had snubbed Blackie, a Doberman pinscher that took a star turn in Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated movie

Hugo. So doggone put out, in fact, that Scorsese wrote an open letter of complaint to the Los Angeles Times.

Dog News Daily sniffed out the free publicity and promised to nominate Scorsese’s mutt if at least 500 people liked the website’s Facebook page. Clicktivism being what it is these days, the site registered more than 500 likes in 24 hours so the contest organizers threw Scorsese a bone and nominated Blackie, a dog that will indeed have his day.

However, the favourite for the award of best dog in a theatrical film is believed to be Uggie, a Jack Russell terrier from The Artist. No word yet on whether Lassie will be receiving a lifetime achievement award.

Proceeds from an accompanying cocktail reception will benefit dog shelters and rescue organizations, while the show itself will be a star-studded affair, complete with red carpet arrivals.

Excited dogs on a carpet? And they thought Scorsese’s fit of pique was messy.