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What Do You Know About Pomeranians?

PetSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:30:15 -0700

Last week I had the chance to chat with Greatest American Dog contestant Laura, who shared some tales from time on the show and her deep love for her sweet little purebred Pomeranian, Preston. He is naturally white with creme highlights, but he rocked a pretty in pink mohawk on the show and stole my heart for being a class act. I decided it was high time we all test our knowledge of the Pomeranian breed. What do you know about them?

Photos courtesy of CBS

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Greatest American Dog Recap: "Salvador Doggy"

PetSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:59:06 -0700

It was another doozy on Greatest American Dog. With dancing last time and now painting this week . . . how much more can I take? I had the chance to chat with Laura yesterday – and decided to recap the latest episode with some of her comments. She was super sweet so stay tuned for more from her later on.

On last night's show: In the beginning of the episode, Preston still has the black mohawk from the night before which was the "dancing with the dogs" night. We were given the task to paint at about four in the afternoon. We had a lesson and, by the time we could start painting, it was nighttime – California (Agora Hills) at night with short hair, he was chilly. He was so exhausted – you know your dog, you know when they're just not themselves and I just looked into his little eyes glazed over like 'Mama, I'm having fun but I kinda just want to sleep in, I don't really feel like painting.'

On the painting process: We didn't get started until about noon, not because I was lazy. That's why I was really trying to be intricate with the stencils to prepare things for him to do. What the cameras didn't show was halfway through the day, it started raining and we had nothing done. Rather than having him paint in the rain, they didn't show me making stakes in the ground and taking a tarp to put a cover over him so that he wouldn't get wet and he wouldn't be cold. He was just so tired that I tried to make it as fun as I could have.

On her bond with Preston: He represents the bond I wish I had with my mom. I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was six and that's what that whole painting was about and I had explained to the judges and clearly they could care less. It's a dog, a dog doesn't know the difference between a heart and a pretzel, he did the best he could. When he's supposed to paint a picture of the love that we share and doesn't feel like doing it, I'm not going to make him paint any more than he really wants to.

On their performance: I'm doing what my mother would have wanted, if she was in that situation – she said to the people in my family before she died, 'Make sure my daughters do what makes them happy. Make sure they live every day and every moment doing what's best for them. I don't care about money, I don't care about education, I just want my daughters to be happy.' It was so emotional thinking about my mom and this incredible bond I'm so lucky to have with my dog. I felt bad that's why we went home and was disappointed in some of the comments considering it was supposed to be judged on the message and he used like nine different techniques, even though he was exhausted. I know Preston has lots of skills and maybe painting's not one of them and that's fine – I still love him more than anything.

What about her call-out on Beth Joy? Find out when you read more.

On her comments about Beth Joy: People have to realize that for every five sentences that you say on camera, you've probably spoken for about 30 minutes. I really respect Beth Joy and know she loves Bella Starlet more than anything. Her and I are very different in the way that we take care of our dogs and I don't necessarily agree with a lot of the things that she does and I felt really bad that it seemed like I completely threw her under the bus. It was just the fact that her dog has issues with her paws and she finished her painting about four hours earlier than everyone else – we all wondered why she tried to get through so quickly and not try to make it a little more positive and a little bit less stressful for Bella Starlet. Clearly she wasn't going to hurt her it was just like, you know, why are you still here? Really, why did Ron and Tillman go home last week, why were Michael and Ezzie kicked off the first week? We like you but you probably shouldn't be here, your dog's crying.

On the outcome: Travis felt bad. He's probably the most patient person in the house who was really sweet to get to know Beth Joy better than anyone else and did the right thing in defending her. It looks like it was Travis versus me in last night's episode but I happened to be the first one on stage and the judges poked and prodded about what was going on with Preston and I, asking 'well, was any dog overly challenged in your opinion?' and then they take it out of context and make it seem like I just threw it out there and volunteered the information when really my painting had nothing to do with Beth Joy. I think people at home, they know that both of us love our dogs. It's a show, they want it to be dramatic. All of us are friends. Travis and I adore each other. Laurie, Teresa, and I are good friends. We all respect Beth Joy so I hope that the public sees that, at the end of the day, we all tried to do what was best for our dogs.

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Greatest American Dog Recap: My Chat With Teresa!

PetSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:30:53 -0700

With just one (!) more episode of Greatest American Dog, I got the chance to chat with Teresa, who was eliminated last week with her Border Collie, Leroy. We talked about her water-loving pup, and I got her side of the story on those controversial snarl bands. Learn all about Leroy's barking, his new BFF, and much more in the interview below.

PetSugar: How's Leroy doing with the barking?
Teresa: He only barks in a high-energy performance setting. He's sitting right by me now . . . no barking. Practice time . . . no barking. Performance time . . . barking. He just loves to do it and it's part of his style. It's getting slightly better but it's going to take some time to get it to be perfect. I need to figure out how to keep his brain more stimulated (if I do the same things over and over he gets bored). It may make things harder for me but, if it makes it easier on him and curbs some of the barking, then that's what we'll have to do.

PetSugar: What was your dog's favorite part of this experience?
Teresa: I think it's pretty obvious that he loved the pool and to be able to let loose and not be under tight wraps all the time. He's loved water since he was a puppy. Normally I try to get him to at least look at me because there are times when I don't want a sopping wet dog, but for the most part he did listen and it is a good impulse control exercise for him. I tried to let him swim as much as I could – he probably swam at least 45 minutes every day – and we don't ever get to do that at home.

PetSugar: Did Leroy have any special friends on the show?
Teresa: Laura and I clicked immediately and we've become the best of friends since then. In such a short period of time I feel like I've known her since like kindergarten. We just had little tags made that say "Be" and "Fri" on one side for Preston, and Leroy wears on his tag "st" and "end," so when it comes together it says "Best Friend." Preston looks like a little, white toy breed, but he doesn't behave like that – he's a giant dog wrapped up in a little Pomeranian body. Leroy normally doesn't like other dogs as much as he likes Preston. He has his circle of friends, and Preston really broke through that circle and has become Leroy's friend, East Coast or West Coast.

PetSugar: And favorite toys?
Teresa: Anything that you can throw! If you throw the top of a Tupperware container, he's going to think it's a frisbee. You throw something round, like throw an apple, he's gonna fetch it and think it's a ball. He also really likes any kind of toy with things hanging from it like a Wubba – he'll shake it and shake it and hit himself over the head . . . I think that's what it's for?

Finally, hear her side of the "angry" challenge when you read more.

PetSugar: How do you feel about the use of the word "angry"?
Teresa: Angry was by far the hardest word. I don't necessarily think it was an appropriate word, but we just assumed that everything had been approved. Leroy does bite a lot at things that are out of control, like water or hoses or air, and I thought that we could do it. We used spray bottle and the hose to try to get him to show his teeth, which he did. You don't see that I'm clicking and rewarding and doing all of that as well; they cut that positive part of it out, and I can understand how it looks controversial. But he does bite by the pool, you see him bite at all the water [in last week's episode]. I thought I could teach the snarl first without using anything.

PetSugar: So then you went to the snarl bands . . .
Teresa: Laura had mentioned the snarl bands and that it would help with the stress of having to learn this in such a short time. He didn't love it but little puppies don't love collars, other dogs don't like harnesses or gentle leaders. I took one of the two avenues and I don't feel that it was inhumane; we were just trying to get the snarl and reward as best as we could. We got the shot really quickly and left the photo shoot early . . . he got to play a whole lot in the studio so he didn't leave there with any kind of bad taste in his mouth.

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Greatest American Dog: The Fast and the Furriest

PetSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:30:41 -0700

There is always time for love in between team challenges and I think something is a-brewing on Greatest American Dog between Travis (single!) and Laura as they start "getting to know each other" a little better. I get the feeling the entire house is developing a crush on Travis considering the daggers Laura was getting thrown by the other ladies! Something tells me there is some juicy drama on the way . . .

This week, with two teamwork challenges to compete in, the fur hit the fan and the claws came out. Surprisingly, Laurie found herself in the center of it all as she confronted Beth Joy for bringing Andrew into her clothing tirade from last week, and even seemed to throw David under the bus for having Elvis on a leash during the Best in Show Challenge. Who knew gentle Laurie could be such a fierce competitor!?

After all was said and done, someone had to go home. To find out who it was, just read more.

After his team lost the Best in Show challenge, little Elvis and David were sent packing. My favorite quote of the night? "Elvis has left the building!"

Okay, is anyone else all teared up!? I knew you would be!

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What Happened on PetSugar This Week (8/10-8/15)?

PetSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:00:48 -0700

It was a busy bee week on PetSugar! We explored why LilPeaPod trains her dog, Samson, with treats (yes, that's him in the adorable photo below!). We had exclusive interviews with Greatest American Dog cast-offs Brandy and Laura. And, we featured photos of five of your darling furry friends! What else happened on PetSugar this week? Test your elephant brain and see what you remember!

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Results: You Made It Quotable!

PetSugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:00:36 -0800

Great job captioning this silly photo! You made it quotable with these clever ideas:

"... and Lizzy slowly backed off the grill hoping the human wouldn't notice her disappearance" - NYYPrincess

Fun size for the fun sized. - laura220

Ronco announces its all new, environmentally friendly AND organic fly swatter! GREAT for picnics and backyard grilling! Now only $99.99! - fuzzles

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Results: You Made It Quotable!

PetSugar — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:00:20 -0800

Great job captioning this silly photo! You made it quotable with these clever ideas:

The very humble beginnings of a great E! True Hollywood Story. - laura220

Johann Sebastian Bark plays for the grand opening of IKEA. - mona2007

I'm tired of just being known as Stevie Wonder's seeing-eye dog! I have talent of my own! - stefd123

Tinkling the ivories. - fuzzles

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Rachel and Adam in Puppy Love

PopSugar — Wed, 10 May 2006 11:57:35 -0700

We could not have asked for a more lovely day of baby news, puppies and our favorite couples coming out from everywhere. Let the nice weather bring out more and more of these fabulous outings. This time Rachel and Adam are enjoying their doggies and some coffee. So cute. This Thursday should be a very exciting episode of The OC. Someone is being killed off. The rumors point to Mischa but I got a very upsetting email last night with a different character saying goodbye. I don't want to spoil it so if you want to know then read after the jump.

Just who is getting killed off, read more

I can't find the link but here is the email someone sent along from a TV guide article.....
From TV Guide's Ask Ausiello,

My favorite TV columnist is so smart and so handsome. I'm ever so lucky to have
a favorite TV columnist like you. Your O.C. teaser last week was very clever. I
think the secret words are ***** C***a*h**, which means that _____ is the one
hovering near death. ***** C***a*h** was the character ***** ********* played
in my favorite movie ***** *** **** ********. A character who, incidentally,
spent most of the movie ** * ****. I don't pretend to be as smart as you, but
I'm right, right? â€” Laura T.

Ausiello: Yes!

Here is the Paddy Code

My favourite TV columnist is so smart and so handsome. I'm ever so lucky to
have a favourite TV columnist like you. Your O.C. teaser last week was very
clever. I think the secrets words are Peter Callaghan, which means that Sandy
is the one hovering near death. Peter Callaghan was the character Peter
Gallagher played in my favourite movie While You Were Sleeping. A character
who, incidentally, spent most of the movie in a coma. I don't pretend to be as
smart as you but I'm right, right - Laura T.

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Results: You Made It Quotable!

PetSugar — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 09:00:31 -0800

Great job captioning this silly photo! You made it quotable with these clever ideas:

I will find someone to come get this darn cat if it's the last thing I do! – PrincessTracy

Hmm, human food or dog food? I always do so bad on these!! I want them all!!! – MandyJoBo

"Why am I not on Diva's top 8?? What a b*tch!" – LittleMascara

Ctrl, Alt, Delete?! What?! How am I supposed to do that? – laura220

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Results: You Made It Quotable!

PetSugar — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:00:29 -0800

Great job captioning this silly photo! You made it quotable with these clever ideas:

Speed dating for dogs. – laura220

So this is my punishment for howling at the moon . . . – rickimc

Overheard from one of the dogs: "It's two o'clock on the doggie sun dial . . .do we have to keep our butts up in the air, or can we rest on the half-hour?" – sgdish

As the drill sergeant looks on to ensure the new gym members listen to Peggy: "Ok all let's get into downward facing dog . . ." SofyasDad

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