PetSugar

Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:58:25 -0800

When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot. This 9-year-old rescued pooch endured radiation, surgery on a malignant tumor, and a leg amputation from his skin cancer – and what I remember most from my chat with his super-sweet owners was that the pup had a fondness for pizza . . . yum!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sadly he just passed away. RIP, Gus!

I wanted to honor this pooch's big win in a gallery of photos so check them out when you read more.

View 7 Photos ›

Source

Ugly Dog Archie Shares Sunscreen Tips For Pets

PetSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:19 -0700

I had a great time making new furry – and not so furry – friends at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. While up in Petaluma, I witnessed spraying bottles, dabbing with damp towels, and plenty of other owners trying to keep their pets cool in the 95-degree heat. While I chatted with the super-sweet Heather Peoples (who came all the way from Phoenix with her husband and Xoloitzcuintle, Reggie), I got to hold Archie, who had his moment in the sun as World's Ugliest Dog from 2006!Since many of the doggies were short-haired or hairless breeds, I was curious how to keep these pets safe in the scorching sun . . . especially considering the reigning champion has skin cancer already. Learn how Archie deals with the heat, as well as checking out some recommended sunscreens just for pets when you read more.

PS: How do your dogs deal with the heat in Phoenix?
HP: They go outside to go to the bathroom, come in, and lie on the floor. They have sunblock, they have lotion. Right now I'll do it three times while we're here, I do lotion twice a day, and they're getting baths three to four times a week . . . especially since we've been here 'cause it's humid. He smells so he goes into the shower. It's like an assembly line. One in, one out. [Note: Her other pooch, Reggie, was competing as well.]

PS: Do you have a pet-friendly sunscreen that you can recommend?
HP: I use one from Crazy Dog. I've found a lot of the spray-ons work really, really nice.

PS: He doesn't feel greasy.
HP: The good ones spray on and go right in. I made the mistake, when I first found out that they had to do sunblock, I was getting the baby kind . . . Water Babies. Bad idea, it was a very bad experience for him. He had a white stripe down his back, because it wouldn't soak in and couldn't get it to rub in!

My Exclusive Interview with Gus, the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog!

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:45 -0700

All the way from St. Petersburg, Florida, Gus captured the title – and my heart – when he won the 20th Annual World's Ugliest Dog Competition. The three-legged, one-eyed pup with cancer has a true tale of triumph – Jeanenne Teed and daughter Janey plan to use his award money of $1,600 (that's $100 for being a finalist for the purebred category, $500 for winning the Ugliest Dog of 2008 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, and $1,000 for being the "2008 World's Ugliest Dog") towards his radiation treatments.In addition to the money, he got two trophies, one taller than his owners – I've got no clue how they'll get those back to the Sunshine state! I already mentioned it was hot, hot, hot up in Petaluma, but that didn't stop me from catching up with the trio after they won and asking them a few questions about their precious pooch.

PS: How long ago did Gus join your family?
JT: Gus is nine years old and came to us when he was one year old. He came to us word of mouth . . . he was being kept inside a crate inside a garage by an owner who really just couldn't deal with him. She did the right thing and she gave him up to a better home . . . we'd like to think. And he's been with us ever since, through thick and thin, and he's hanging in there. He's a tough cookie.

PS: You mentioned that he has cancer – what kind of cancer does he have?
JT: He has skin cancer. He was diagnosed in December of '06 and, at that time, the cancer was quite advanced and he needed to have his leg amputated. The other leg was debulked and the tumor was removed. After chemotherapy and then treatment with another medication, he had a great year – we had a great year – we took him on vacation for the first time.

Find out where they went – and what happened to his eye! – when you read more.

PS: Where did you go?
JT: We went to the Panhandle to an area that we always go to, Walton Beach, and it was just a great experience. Over Christmas, and over the holidays, we had that and now we have this great experience, too, which is unbelievable . . . absolutely unbelievable.

PS: So when you got Gus, did he have only one eye?
JT: Well, that's a sad . . . (laughs) . . . Gus got into a cat fight last December and obviously the cat won. So he lost his eye, too, to the cat. And he hasn't forgotten about it either.

PS: Hmm, they're not pals now I'm guessing?
JT: No, they're one for one. Gus had caught the kitten when he was a tiny, itty bitty kitten. And was trying to tear the kitten up with our other dog, Buttons, and they were playing tug-of-war. I rescued the little kitten who turned out to be a great, big tomcat.

PS: What's Gus's favorite treat?
JT: French fries. Unfortunately. We don't feed him this often but he loves McDonald's french fries. And when he was undergoing chemotherapy and his stomach was upset, the only thing he would eat was pepperoni pizza. Fortunately Janey works at a pizza place so it was easy to come by but that's what kept him going when nothing else tasted good to him.

PS: And are you gonna get him a special meal before you go back to the hotel tonight? A pampering snack at the fair, funnel cake perhaps?
JT: Him or us (laughs). We will get Gus whatever he wants to eat. It's been a great experience.

Cute Alert: Chinese Crested Sings!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:06:52 -0700

I love that there are loveable animals making people happy everywhere. These so-called "ugliest dogs in the world" (Chinese Cresteds) seem super-fun and cute to me...Sing it like you mean it, doggers!

Scleroderma

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:15 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Scleroderma is a connective-tissue disease that causes a progressive build up of tough scar-like tissue in the skin and internal organs. The term scleroderma is derived from the Greek words, skleros, meaning "hard," and derma meaning "skin." An individual with scleroderma may develop either a localized or systemic form of the disease. Localized scleroderma usually affects only the skin on the hands and face. Systemic scleroderma, however, affects the connective tissue in many parts of the body, including the skin, the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart, and other internal organs. It is unusual for localized scleroderma to progress to the systemic form. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, an estimated 300,000 people in the United States have the condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of scleroderma may include one or more of the following:

Raynaud's phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity to cold in the hands or feet)
Swelling of the fingers, hands, forearms, feet, lower legs, and face
Thickening, hardening, and discoloration of the skin
Ulcers or lesions on fingers, face, tongue, and inner lining of the cheek
Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness (especially in the fingers and knees)
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Shortness of breath, cough
Dry eyes
Sexual dysfunction
Digestive and gastrointestinal problems including difficulty swallowing, bloating, and abdominal pain

Five particular symptoms occasionally occur together and are clinically recognized as a variation of scleroderma called CREST syndrome. The term CREST stands for Calcinosis (painful calcium deposits under the skin), Raynaud's phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity to cold in the hands and feet), Esophageal dysfunction (problems with swallowing caused by internal scarring), Sclerodactyly (tightening of the skin on the fingers or toes) and Telangiectasia (lesions on the hands, palms, forearms, face, and lips).

Causes

Scleroderma results from an overproduction of collagen, the primary connective tissue protein in the body. Scientists believe that the immune system mistakenly attacks the patient's own cells (an autoimmune response), producing too many white blood cells and other factors that cause a damaging inflammatory response and an overproduction of collagen, primarily in the skin. Researchers are not clear why this autoimmune response occurs, but they suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of the disease. For example, scleroderma has been associated with a number of industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals including:

Silica dust
Some plastic materials, such as epoxy resins and vinyl chloride
Aromatic hydrocarbons
L-tryptophan (synthetic supplement)
Rapeseed oil

Risk Factors

The following factors may increase a person's risk for scleroderma:

Gender -- approximately three times more women than men develop the disease.
Age -- scleroderma is most common among individuals between the ages of 20 - 50, and is relatively rare in children.
Race and Ethnicity -- young women of African ancestry and native Americans of the Choctaw tribe of Oklahoma have a high prevalence of the disease

Diagnosis

An individual with symptoms of scleroderma will most likely require consultations with both a rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) and a dermatologist (skin specialist). The doctor will conduct a physical examination in which he or she may feel the skin, checking for thickened and hardened areas and may also press affected tendons and joints. The doctor may also conduct the following procedures to diagnose the disease:

Blood tests -- may detect elevated levels of antibodies found in the majority of individuals with scleroderma.
Skin biopsy -- samples of skin may be taken to identify abnormalities suggestive of scleroderma.
Chest X ray or pulmonary function test -- may detect lung damage or altered lung capacity.
MRI or CT scan -- often detect early signs of damage to the muscles and internal organs.

Diagnosing scleroderma may be difficult, particularly in the early stages of the disease. This is because many individuals with scleroderma experience symptoms of other connective-tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and polymyositis. When these conditions overlap, it is called mixed connective-tissue disease.

Preventive Care

It is important for an individual with scleroderma to avoid developing infections, so the physician will administer the following:

Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine
Annual flu vaccine

Treatment

There is no cure for scleroderma. While medications are often used to treat the symptoms of the disease, they are not always effective, and many have significant side effects. There are, however, less toxic ways to treat the symptoms of scleroderma, such as lifestyle and dietary changes and the addition of dietary supplements, which make living with the disease easier.

Lifestyle

While lifestyle adjustments will not stop the progression of scleroderma, these simple measures may enhance an individual's quality of life:

Eating small, frequent meals may reduce gastrointestinal problems.
Maintaining an active lifestyle may preserve muscle.
Avoiding smoke, exposure to cold, and stress may prevent blood vessel spasms that diminish circulation.
Applying soothing skin creams to affected areas may reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Medications

Localized scleroderma often is treated with topical therapies such as moisturizers or topical corticosteroids. Oral medications may also be used to halt the progression of localized scleroderma if it involves a large area of the body, such as an entire arm or leg. Systemic scleroderma may be treated with medications that improve circulation, promote gastrointestinal function, preserve kidney function, and control high blood pressure. Some medications a physician may prescribe for scleroderma include:

Penicillamine -- can reduce skin thickening and delay spread of damage to internal organs. However, it has relatively high incidence of adverse reactions.
Pentoxifylline -- may improve circulation
Immunosuppressant medications (such as cyclophosphamide) -- often used for patients with life-threatening form of the disease. These are potent medications that damage cells' genetic information. These medications may cause significant side effects.
Anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and corticosteroids) -- may reduce inflammation and swelling
Calcium-channel blockers (such as nifedipine and diltiazem) -- often used to treat Raynaud's phenomenon
Antibiotics -- prevent overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines and improve digestive processes
ACE inhibitors (such as captopril) -- may improve hypertension, prevent kidney damage, and dilate blood vessels

Surgery and Other Procedures

When symptoms of scleroderma become very severe, physicians may recommend the following procedures:

Surgery to repair damage to the stomach or intestinal walls
Amputation of severely diseased and infected fingers or toes
Kidney, heart, or lung transplantation (in rare cases)

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

A comprehensive treatment plan for scleroderma may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies. Individuals with scleroderma tend to have deficiencies in many vitamins and minerals. Ask your team of health care providers about the best ways to incorporate these therapies into your overall treatment plan. Always tell your health care provider about the herbs and supplements you are using or considering using.

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.
Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein. Quality protein sources, such as organic meat and eggs, whey, and vegetable protein shakes, should be used as part of balanced program aimed at gaining muscle mass and preventing wasting.
Use healthy oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week.

You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 3 tablespoonfuls oil, one to three times daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources, but are not substitutes for supplementation.
Vitamin C, 500 - 1000 mg, one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.
L-glutamine, 500 - 1000 mg three times daily, for support of gastrointestinal health and immunity.
Dihydroepiandosterone (DHEA), start at 5 mg three times a day and work up to 100 mg daily for 7 - 12 months, for hormonal support. It is recommended to use DHEA under the supervision of a qualified health care professional. If adverse effects develop, discontinue use.
Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, when needed for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.
Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradisi), 100 mg capsule or 5 - 10 drops (in favorite beverage) three times daily when needed, for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity, and for immunity.
Resveratrol (from red wine), 50 - 200 mg daily, to help decrease inflammation and for antioxidant effects.
Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant and immune activity.
Melatonin, 2 - 6 mg at bedtime as needed, for immune support and sleep.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.

Olive leaf (Olea europaea) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg one to three times daily, for immune effects.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized extract, 300 mg three times a day, for pain and inflammation.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for detoxification and antioxidant support.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) standardized extract, 100 - 600 mg daily, for antioxidant, anti-stress, and immune activity.
Bromelain (Ananus comosus) standardized, 40 mg three times daily, for pain and inflammation.
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) standardized extract, 50 - 250 mg two to three times daily, for blood vessel health and circulation.

Acupuncture

A few studies of patients with systemic scleroderma indicate that acupuncture may improve circulation in the hands and fingers, mend fingertip ulcers, and possibly reduce the formation of fibrous tissue. Acupuncture may also be effective for pain.

Massage and Physical Therapy

Research suggests that massage may be useful in improving circulation and preventing muscle distortion. More research is needed in this area to determine whether massage is truly an effective complementary therapy for scleroderma.

Mind-Body Medicine

Biofeedback appears to successfully control the temperature in the hands and feet of those with Raynaud's phenomenon, a symptom often found in those with scleroderma. Other mind-body techniques such as counseling, meditation, and emotional freedom technique (EFT) can be very useful.

Other Considerations

Prognosis and Complications

Possible complications that may result from scleroderma include the following:

Joint damage
Damage to smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract
Malnutrition
Formation of fibrous tissue in the heart muscle; may lead to permanent damage and degradation
Kidney damage and failure
Formation of fibrous tissue in the thyroid gland

The prognosis for those with scleroderma is highly variable and depends primarily on the form of the disease. For example:

The CREST syndrome tends to progress slowly and remains relatively benign for decades. The 10-year survival rate for those with CREST is 75%.
Those with localized scleroderma also have a 10-year survival rate of 75%.
Systemic scleroderma tends to progress faster in men and in those who are older at the onset of the disease. The 10-year survival rate for those with systemic scleroderma is 55%. If damage spreads to the heart, lung, or kidneys early in the course of the disease, prognosis is generally poor.
Spontaneous remissions from scleroderma have also been reported, with symptoms of the disease resolving in the reverse order that they appeared.

Supporting Research

Amento EP. Immunologic abnormalities in scleroderma. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1998;17(1):18-21.

Arlett CM et al Identification of fetal DNA and cells in skin lesions from women with systemic sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 1998;338(17):1186-91.

Barr WG. Current topics in the diagnosis and treatment of scleroderma. Compr Ther. 1991;17(6):39-45.

Baur JA, Sinclair DA. Therapeutic potential of resveratrol: the in vivo evidence. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006;5(6):493-506.

Beers MH, Berkow R, eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 1999. Section 5, Chapter 50.

Black CM. Prognosis and management of scleroderma and scleroderma-like disorders in children. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1994;12(suppl 10):S75-81.

Black CM. Scleroderma in children. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;455:35-48.

Black CM. Scleroderma: clinical aspects. J Intern Med. 1993;234(2):115-8.

Burckdorfer KR, Hillary JB, Bunce T, et al. Increased susceptibility to oxidation of low-density lipoproteins isolated from patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 1995;38(:1060-1067.

Casale R et al Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): an integrated challenge in rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehab. 1997;78(7):767-73.

Cunningham BB, Landells, IDR, Langman C, et al. Topical calcipotriene for morphea/linear scleroderma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(2 Pt 1):211-215.

Cvetnic Z, Vladimir-Knezevic S. Antimicrobial activity of grapefruit seed and pulp ethanolic extract. Acta Pharm. 2004;54(3):243-50.

Elst EF, van Suijlekom-Smit LWA, Oranje AP. Treatment of linear scleroderma with oral 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (calcitriol) in seven children. Pediatr Dermatol. 1999;16(1):53-58.

Gaby AR. The role of coenzyme Q10 in clinical medicine: Part 1. Alt Med Rev. 1996; 1(1):11-17.

Gelber AC, Wigley FM. Treatment of scleroderma. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1995;7(6):551-9.

Gilliland BC. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). In: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998:1888-1895.

Hale LP, Greer PK, Trinh CT, James CL. Proteinase activity and stability of natural bromelain preparations. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005;5(4):783-93.

Haustein UF, Anderegg U. Pathophysiology of scleroderma: an update. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 1998;11(1):1-8.

Herrick AL, Worthington H, Rieley F, et al. Dietary intake of micronutrient antioxidants in relation to blood levels in patients with systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol. 1996;23(4):650-653.

Herrick AL. Advances in palliative care for the patient with scleroderma. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1996;8(6):555-60.

Herron GS, Romero LI. Vascular abnormalities in scleroderma. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1998;17(1):12-7.

Hunzelmann N et al. Management of localized scleroderma. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 1998;17(1):34-40.

Jimenez SA et al. Pathogenesis of scleroderma. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1996;22(4):647-74.

Kerin K, Yost JH. Advances in the diagnosis and management of scleroderma-related vascular complications. Compr Ther. 1998;24(11-12):574-81.

Krane SM, Amento EP. Cellular interactions and control of collagenase secretion in the synovium. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1983;11:7-12.

Lundberg A-C, Åkesson A, Åkesson B.Dietary intake and nutritional status in patients with systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1992;51(10):1143-1148.

Maeda M, Kachi H, Ichihashi N et al. The effect of electrical acupuncture-stimulation therapy using thermography and plasma endothelin (ET-1) levels in patients with progressive system sclerosis (PSS). J Dermatol Sci. 1998;17(2):151-155.

Mayes MD. Scleroderma epidemiology. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1996;22(4):751-64.

McGee BA et al. Current options for the treatment of systemic scleroderma. Clin Pharm. 1991;10(1):14-25.

Miller M. Scleroderma. Aust Fam Physician. 1993;22(12):2112-9.

Mitchell H, et al. Scleroderma and related conditions. Med Clin North Am. 1997;81(1):129-49.

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Pang BK, Munro V, Kossard S. Pseudoscleroderma secondary to phytomenadione (vitamin K₁) injections: Texier's disease. Australas J Dermatol. 1996;37(1):44-47.

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Review Date:
10/19/2006
Reviewed By:
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; and Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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Weigh In: Who Was the Ugliest of Them All?

PetSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:20:01 -0700

I know, I know, Pabst is pretty darn cute to many of us (myself included). However, since this year's Ugliest Dog title included a modeling contract, maybe it's his interesting look that prompted the victory? After all, several of the winners in past years have been Chinese Cresteds . . . and Pabst surely wouldn't be mistaken for that breed anytime soon. The final round came down to the Ugliest Purebred 2009 (that's Miss Ellie on the left), the Ugliest Mutt 2009, and any past title holders competing in the Ring of Champions (that's Rascal on the right). Who do you think deserved to win?

It's a Dog's World: Fun at the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

PetSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:55 -0700

Variety is the spice of life, and thankfully we got a taste at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma. The winner wasn't a Chinese Crested (like it has been in past contests), but a Boxer mix named Pabst who walked away with the blue ribbon and stole the hearts of the crowd with his huge underbite. But for me, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest wouldn't be complete without a stroll through the barns and coops of the other furry (and non-furry) animals that take their place at the fair. My favorite this year were the bunnies, and I secretly had my eye on a few to sneak home in my bag!

Check out some of the other sights from the Sonoma-Marin Fair, including a mobile pet adoption center (so cute), and the "Ugly is The New Beautiful" fashion show sponsored by House of Dog when you read more.

View 65 Photos ›

And the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Is . . .

PetSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:59:01 -0700

Another Petaluma scorcher for this year's Ugly Dog Contest! The 2009 champ was a new face who won me over with his pronounced underbite, which he uses like a scoop to get the food in at mealtime. Ha. Even though the last several years have featured lil pups like the late Gus, this time a big pup's top dog.

Four-year-old Pabst and his owner, Miles Egstad, came from Citrus Heights, CA - the Boxer mix was super sweet, loved the shade, and seemed to be rather sleepy before his turn on stage. Resting up for his time in the sun, I bet. We got a glimpse of Pabst, blue ribbon and all, so see one more cute pic (and hear what his owner had to say about the win) when you read more.

On the recognition: "This breed is not known for being ugly like the Chinese Crested. He's so ugly, he's adorable."

On the prize: "He's definitely getting a filet mignon, maybe not tonight, but he will. And getting his teeth cleaned, look at them!"

Congrats to Pabst and Miles and stay tuned for more Ugly Dog coverage next week!

Interview With the Referee of Puppy Bowl V (Part II)

PetSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:15:01 -0800

We already learned a bit of background on the pups and the referee in Part I, now let's hear more about the action, including this year's "streaker" (!) on the field, in the interview below.
PetSugar: What do you say to yourself when you get up that morning?
Ref: I look myself in the mirror for a long time, in the eye, and I say: 'This is your calling, this is what you're meant to do.' It's what I'm born into, my destiny.

PetSugar: Do you have any secret weapons on hand in case things get a little hairy?
Ref: Just experience and I consult the Puppy Bowl referee guidebook. I like to keep a little peanut butter behind the ears sometimes, but otherwise it's just my strong bond with the dogs and they know who's boss when I'm out there.

PetSugar: How many pups play at a time?
Ref: There are 10 to 12 dogs out there but we do have substitutions. You'll see that on the field, if a puppy's acting up and has too many penalties or is being a dirty dog, I have to eject him from the game. We give everyone a fair shot and I tell you, the puppies we have this year are some of the cutest but also you'll see there's so much action, touchdowns being scored, tackles, it's an exciting year for Puppy Bowl.

PetSugar: Which penalty do you see most and how do you keep order?
Ref: There's two: The first is unnecessary ruffness (r-u-f-f, of course) and then the other one is a personal foul. As you can imagine, there are a lot of foul things on that field with puppies. But I throw my yellow flag on it – it's a dirty job but someone's got to do it.

Learn about the special guest performer before Puppy Bowl V, kitty halftime, and this year's "streaker" (!) when you read more.

PetSugar: Is there anything surprising lined up?
Ref: We're bringing out all the stops this year. But, even though we try to keep the show G-rated (and, as the ref, I try to obviously keep control of the game), one of the puppies got extra frisky. He went down into its birthday suit and we have a streaker, a Chinese Crested. I don't know what he was trying to prove but once I saw it on the field, I chased it around, covered it up and I made sure we retained order on the field.

PetSugar: You've convinced me, but can you sum up why our readers should tune in?
Ref: Well, we clear out the puppies to set up the halftime show. We bring in the kittens and it's 15 minutes of adorableness so, if you're not a puppy person (which I can't imagine you not being), then you have a chance to see these cute little kittens doing their thing. And if you're not a dog person or a cat person, you have Pepper the parrot singing the most beautiful rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" that you'll ever hear – it'll bring a tear to your eye, you'll see. Also this year, if you've missed Puppy Bowls I-IV, if you're living under a rock, this one is celebrating the fifth anniversary with Hall of Fame moments from the first four. So that's even more reason to watch because you can see the best, cutest, friskiest moments form the first four all in one amazing sitting at Feb.1 at 3 p.m..

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Do Tell: Do You Agree With America's Pick For Obama?

PetSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:30:55 -0700

Remember that poll to help America pick a pooch for Barack Obama? Although rescuing is usually a good option, his daughters suffer from allergies, meaning a hypoallergenic dog would do best in this home. Timed to coincide with his acceptance of the Democratic Party nomination, the AKC's released the results: a Poodle.

Personally, of the five finalists (Bichon Frise, Chinese Crested, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier), I was pulling for the mini Schnauzer - do you agree with the suggestion of any of the three sizes of poodles, or do you have a different idea?

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