OF ALL the doggone luck in the world – just days before the Wizard of Oz panto opens at Weymouth Pavilion, one of the leading lights has gone AWOL.

One of the dogs picked to be Toto can no longer play the role and organisers are desperately seeking a replacement pooch.

After a ‘Rex Factor’ talent show for dogs, two were picked to share the role of Dorothy Gale’s companionable small hound who follows her on her whirlwind adventure from Kansas to the Emerald City.

Widget is a Cairn terrier and Little Joe a Tsitzu/Jack Russell cross.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Little Joe has had to go and live in Bristol and the role is too much for one small – but nonetheless enthusiastic – terrier to take on.

The first doggie auditions attracted several starstruck mutts intent on sniffing out a starring role in this year’s panto.

Two talented terriers were selected to share the role of Dorothy’s faithful sidekick.

A total of five pooches put their best paws forward to audition for the role, with Joe and Widget chosen as top dogs.

Joe’s owner John Sparkes, from Weymouth, was delighted to see his pet initially chosen for his first taste of stardom.

He said: “I’ve only had him a year – I took him on when my last dog died at the age of 17.

“I saw the auditions were happening in the paper and my friend said I should go for it. He’s very placid and such a lovely little dog.”

Barbara Cumming, the owner of two-year-old Widget, said she went for the audition because of her pet’s resemblance to the dog that starred in the Judy Garland film of the Wizard of Oz.

She said: “She’s never done anything like this before but if you look at the Judy Garland pictures Widget looks just like Toto.

“She’s very sociable and she enjoys participating.

“She’s very good with other dogs and very good with people.”

Pavilion spokeswoman Nicky Jenkins said: “Little Joe is a lovely little dog and perfect for the role but unfortunately he will no longer be in Weymouth over the Christmas period.

“Widget is wonderful in the role of Toto, but it is too much pressure for one dog and their owner to take on so we desperately need another dog to act as a stand-in.”

She added that the new dog needed to be a small terrier-type, tan-coloured if possible, that is good with people, unfazed by lights and noise and not a biter.

If you have a hound who would fit the bill as Toto, please call 01305 838566.