It's a dog's life for Saoirse away from her best friend
Pictures: Independent Woman
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By KEN SWEENEY
Tuesday Feb 9 2010
TEENAGE actress Saoirse Ronan misses her "best friend" as she jets around the world to walk the red carpet.
The 'Lovely Bones' star longs for her 13-year-old border collie Sassy when she's away attending film premieres and movie sets.
The pet stays at Saoirse's family home when the actress is filming abroad. "The toughest thing about shooting films or travelling is being away from Sassy. My family understand why I have to go away but try telling that to my dog," said Saoirse, who was named a Virtuoso Award Winner at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in the US this week.
In 2007, Saoirse was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film 'Atonement' but she could only think of her dog in Ireland after it went missing.
"She ran away. She runs away a lot," said Saoirse at the time.
However the loveable dog returned a month later and was reunited with Saoirse.
A portrait of Saoirse and Sassy is among a number of images from a forthcoming book by comedian Brendan Burke called 'Shoot My Dog'.
"I did the picture of Saoirse and Sassy up at the Blue Cross animal shelter in Inchicore last year. You know straight away that there's a huge bond between them," said Burke.
Irish comedian Brendan Burke has developed a business photographing owners with their pets.
Singers Sinead O'Connor and Gavin Friday, and TV presenter/model Glenda Gilson are among the stars who have posed for Burke.
- KEN SWEENEY
Irish Independent
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