Chihuahua movie not a dog?

I saw a trailer for "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" while I was on vacation last summer.

It looked like it might be good for a laugh, or at least to see how complicated the CGI effects are getting all those dogs to dance and strut and talk.

Here's a review from Reuters.

The reviewer wishes that the script matched the cast.

It would have given that inspired voice cast more to chew on, though [Drew] Barrymore, [Andy] Garcia (more animated than he has been in years), [George] Lopez, Placido Domingo[!], Luis Guzman, Cheech Marin, Paul Rodriguez and a menacing Edward James Olmos in Doberman form (as Delgado's arch-nemesis, El Diablo) do nicely with what they're fed.

And what would that be? I'll bet it's not kibble.

Still, I'll wait until it's at the $2 movie.

UPDATE: What would we do without Youtube? Here's a trailer for the film.

And then here's the official Disney Web site with another trailer.

Sally's tormentor arrested

A 28-year-old City of Poughkeepsie man, Garry Lee Rhodes, was arrested Friday for abandoning his dog, now named Sally, in a clothing donation bin in Hyde Park.

Here is a link to the story I wrote in today's Poughkeepsie Journal.

The three charges are misdemeanors under the state's Ag and Market laws.

What do you think about that? Do we need to take another look at how abusing animals is prosecuted?

How about ...

Time for some fun, right? Especially after the markets, the banks, the mortgage stuff hitting the fan. Not to mention the presidential campaign.

How about cats on treadmills? Click here.

Not enough?

How about a cat battling a printer? Click here. Take that Hewlett-Packard! (Thanks, Kathy, for the tip.)

Still not enough?

Well, move over dramatic chipmunk. How about a dramatic lemur? Click here. (Again, thanks, Kathy, for the tip.)

Ready for adoption — video edition

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Shakes — Lab mix
"With a paw held out as a greeting, this handsome black lab male wandered his way into the shelter, ending his time out on the streets as a stray. Eager to meet new people with a hearty shake, he would make a great addition to a family with older children or perhaps a companion canine to enjoy the days together."


The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

My thoughts on Sally

I got an e-mail yesterday about my article on Sally's visit to a Marist College classroom on Tuesday. The writer expressed concern that the article didn't address the state of the economy and the fact that people may not be able to afford to feed their pets.

Sally is the terrier mix dog found abandoned in a clothing donation bin in a parking lot in Hyde Park Sept. 15.

The writer said maybe the person who left Sally was afraid of being charged with a serious infraction of the law if they were to "do the right thing" by dropping her off at a shelter. The writer was thinking specifically of the elderly and urged me to, in the future, consider including information on what people can do when they can't afford to care for their pets any longer.

I responded that I understood the point the writer was making, that there are instances in which people can no longer afford to keep their animals. I have blogged several times about the foreclosure crisis that has forced many families to make difficult decisions about giving up their pets.

But one thing must be kept in mind about Sally: the dog was starved long before it was tossed into a metal clothing bin. Medical tests found there was no underlying condition that would have caused such an extreme case of malnutrition.

When found, Sally weighed 16 pounds. At approximately 2 years of age, she should have weighed 36 to 38 pounds. She looked, as I described in an article, "as if someone had taken a dog’s skeleton and wrapped it in light brown fabric."

I don't think it's necessary to explain to any rational human being — someone who still has feelings — that it would be better to, say, tie a dog up to a fence, out in the open, where there is some traffic, than throw it into a container in a remote portion of a parking lot from which it could not escape. Where it could very possibly have died, had the person whose responsibility it was to collect the donated clothes not been on schedule.

I think the thing to keep in one's mind in this situation — and the reason the Dutchess County SPCA feels this falls under the heading of criminal activity — is that the dog was essentially starved for a very long time then thrown away to die, alone and unwanted, in a metal container. It would have been a horrible, unjustifiable death.

She was in a metal bin in a shopping center parking lot exposed to the summer sun for about a week. No food. No water. No way to escape.

Sally was, as DCSPCA Executive Director Joyce Garrity said, "horrifically disposed of like a pile of old clothes."

There is No. Possible. Excuse. for this type of action.

What happened to Sally was not, under any possible explanation, anything other than a despicable act of depraved indifference.

I watched Sally trot up and down the aisles of a Marist classroom, going from person to person — curious, loving and trusting. Cocking her head at a photographer's camera, as he clicked the shutter. Barking at shadows moving by the classroom door window. Being a dog, in the only world she knows.

Trusting. Forgiving.

And then I look at my dog, Kate, sleeping next to me on the couch as I write this.

She trusts me.

I hope, though I try not to anthropomorphize animals, that she loves me.

I cannot imagine a situation in which I would leave her to die, alone and hungry and unwanted.

She trusts me.

That is my burden. And I gladly accept it.

More on Sally

I had another opportunity to see Sally yesterday.

The pooch was brought to Marist College in the Town of Poughkeepsie for a public opinion class led by Douglas Brush.

Here's the story, with a link to Darryl Bautista's photos of which the above is one.

She definitely has gained weight. I was told by Dutchess County SPCA Executive Director Joyce Garrity that Sally now weighs 23 pounds, still down from the estimated 36-38 that she should weigh. When Sally was found, in a metal clothing donation bin in a shopping center parking lot, on Sept. 15, she weighed only 16 pounds.

Garrity confirmed that Sally was malnourished before she was tossed into the bin, meaning there was definite abuse involved.

Nonetheless, the pooch was running up and down the aisles of the classroom, checking to see what people had on their desks. Almost all the students took the opportunity to take cell phone pictures of Sally.

Sally lavished kissed on Leah Hapeman, the DCSPCA's animals services assistant manager, who lugged Sally around to each student. "She sure feels more than 23 pounds," Hapeman said.

Brush read the original story about Sally and thought she would be a good example of animal abuse that his class could use to create public relations campaigns. The class decided to "adopt" Sally as their poster dog in the soon-to-be-created campaigns.

I'll keep you posted on the class's progress.

Sally was starved

The worst has been confirmed about Sally, the terrier mixed breed found abandoned in a clothing donation bin in a parking lot in Hyde Park.

I got an e-mail from Joyce Garrity, executive director at the Dutchess County SPCA, with an update on the dog.

Garrity said Sally's blood work shows that she is a little anemic, but otherwise the tests were negative.

That means the dog does not have a medical condition that may have contributed to her emaciated state.

"What it does tell us is that she suffered from grave malnutrition," Garrity said. "Sally was literally starved, and then horrifically disposed of like a pile of old clothes."

She said the DCSPCA is working to find the person who perpetrated this act of cruelty.

Garrity said Sally continues to recuperate. As of Friday, she gained 4-1/2 pounds on a meal plan prescribed by the shelter's veterinarian. When she was found a week ago, she weighed 16 pounds.

"She is a happy little girl who is sweet and affectionate and loves to give kisses," Garrity said.

Donations toward Sally's care are being accepted by the DCSPCA. To designate a contribution toward helping Sally and dogs like her, write "Project Hope" in the memo portion of your check.

Sent donations to the DCSPCA, 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538 or contribute online at dcspca.org.

UPDATE @ 3:38 P.M.: Garrity said Sally now weighs 23 pounds, again up from 16, but still well under the 36-39 range that she should be.

Dividing one's time

Kate loves the patio. Now that the days aren't blistering, I let her stay out more.

This picture was taken on Saturday. Of course, Kate is panting, but still willing to soak up the sun. Just after this was taken, she moved into the shade.

A couple minutes in the shade. A couple minutes in the sun.

Not a bad gig.

Sally's blood tests expected Monday

That's basically the only update on Sally, the terrier mix found abandoned in the clothing donation bin Monday.

Dutchess County SPCA Executive Director Joyce Garrity said the blood was collected Thursday and sent to the lab today. She said the results are expected early next week.

For more on the saga of Sally, click here.

A needed laugh

After the last couple of days, how about something that will make you grin, if not laugh out loud?

Here is a video of a very stealthy kitty.

Enjoy.

Update on Sally

My colleague Lee Ferris and I had the opportunity of meeting Sally, the dog found abandoned in a clothing donation bin Monday. Lee took the video above, and I narrated.

Seeing the pictures are one thing, but actually seeing a dog that should weigh almost 40 pounds and only weighs 16 is quite another.

Were it not for her astounding condition — you can literally count her ribs and vertebrae — she acts like a normal pooch. She walked with us to a fenced-in area with her nose to the ground, for the most part she ignored the toys handlers were trying to tempt her with and she tried to climb into Lee's lap while he was trying to get the video of her.

She was licking the face of the humane law officers who found her, and her tail seldom stopped wagging while we were there.

I'll be doing an update on Sally for tomorrow's print version of the newspaper and, of course, for the Web site.

The DCSPCA is taking donations to help pay for Sally's recovery. See this blog entry for more information.

Ready for adoption — video edition

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Pretty Kitty — Shorthair
"Stating the obvious, we know, but sometimes you have to reinforce the words. This very pretty, mostly white with gray shorthair is definitely a passive pet. Even-keeled personality allows this girl the ability to not have her feathers ruffled, so to speak, when dinner is a tad late or her favorite spot in the sun is occupied. Playtime is a take it or leave it decision, but snuggle, sleep (obviously), and pet time is a must."


The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

Regarding donations for Sally

I just received this e-mail from Joyce Garrity, the executive director of the Dutchess County SPCA, in response to a telephone call regarding contributions to specifically help Sally, the mixed breed dog abandoned in a clothing donation bin in Hyde Park.

-----------------

Dear Michael,

I read your blog this evening, and I thank you so much for letting the public know about Sally's ordeal. We are hoping that someone recognizes this sweet dog and can give us information about the person or persons that are responsible for this heinous act of animal cruelty. I appreciate all that you and Kate do to heighten people's awareness of the importance of treating animals with respect and dignity. I was very moved by the responses that you have received from the public — it is heartwarming to know that there are many people in our community who care deeply for the animals in need.

The Dutchess County SPCA has a program called Project Hope, which helps animals like Sally who require medical attention. If people wish to donate to the DCSPCA, they may write "Project Hope" in the memo section of their check or in a letter to us if they prefer. We are extremely grateful for all donations, as our caring staff and dedicated volunteers provide loving care for the abandoned, abused and neglected animals in our shelter every day of the year. It is a daunting task, but a very rewarding one — a labor of love.

Your readers may also like to know that for those who cannot afford to feed their pets because they are struggling in this economy, the DCSPCA has a Pet Pantry Program. People in need may come to our shelter, and we will provide them with dog or cat food.

Thank you, Michael, and thank you to all of your readers who have expressed compassion and concern over the suffering of an innocent animal. She is being monitored by our devoted veterinarians, and we are very hopeful that she will be restored to full health.

Joyce Garrity

Executive Director

Dutchess County SPCA

Horrific act of cruelty

With Sally (above) are Humane Law Officer Jami Landry and Veterinarian Joseph Palamara.

The Dutchess County SPCA notified us of a truly incredible case of animal cruelty.

On Monday, DCSPCA humane law officers found a dog dumped in a charity clothing donation bin in Hyde Park in the parking lot of the Stop and Shop on St. Andrews Road.

A man had been emptying the donation bin and discovered a starving dog among the bags of clothing.

The dog is a small yellow mixed breed female, horribly emaciated. Officers said she had been in the bin for about a week, with daytime outside temperatures reaching 90 degrees.

DCSPCA Humane Law Supervisor Jami Landry said, "It must have been like an oven for the dog trapped inside."

In spite of her condition, the dog wagged her tail when she was rescued and was taken to the shelter where she received medical treatment. Despite severe malnourishment, and pending blood work, vets say her prognosis for recovery is good.

She been named Sally, short for Salvation.

The DCSPCA is seeking information that may lead to the identification and prosecution of the dog's owners. She was wearing a nylon collar with interwoven threads of orange, reflective silver and black. The collar was tied with a clothing line cord.

If anyone has any information about this dog, contact the DCSPCA Humane Law Department at 845-452-7722, ext. 104.

Sally and Humane Law Enforcement Officer Stephanie Fitzpatrick.

UPDATE: People have asked about donating to help care for Sally. I am sure the DCSPCA would accept any contributions, but I cannot say whether they could be applied to this specific case. I have a call into Joyce Garrity, the executive director, and will post an answer as soon as I find out.

Buddy comes through — again

A German shepherd, trained to respond when he owner had a seizure, called 911 Wednesday and saved the man's life.

And it's not the first time.

This Associated Press story in the Arizona Republic tells more.

"Buddy, he basically gives me my independence," (owner Joe) Stalnaker said during the KTVK interview. "He's my world. He's my best friend, no question. He's always there, and I just hope I can be as good to him as he's been to me."

Good job, Buddy.

Paws in the Park report

Today was the 14th annual Paws in the Park Pet Walk, sponsored by the Dutchess County SPCA.

Here's Joyce Garrity, the executive director of the Dutchess County SPCA, and, of course, Kate:



Bowdoin Park was crowded with pooches and their owners.





And then there were dogs.



A new activity this year was the Puppies of the Caribbean tent. Dogs could don a pirate bandana and then make their way through an agility course.


Including walking the plank.



And get into the crow's nest. This is Addie, who is owned by Laura Wells and her daughter Margaret of New Paltz. Addie is 1-1/2 years old and is a rescue.

A favorite each year is the costume contest.





Also a crowd favorite is Kanine Karaoke. Here is winner Badger and owner Katie Carpenter of Ulster Park.



Pooches sporting yellow bows were adopted from the DCSPCA. Dogs, like 11-year-old Buddy, below, with white bows are waiting to be adopted.


There were displays, like this one from Puppies Behind Bars.


And vendors, selling dog treats.


And then there were more dogs.


This is Debbie Napolitano with Logan, China and Chance. They are with Greyhound Rescue and Rehabilitation.



Here is Annie Bliss of West Park with her Great Dane Blaze (5-1/2 years old) and poodle mix Mickey (2 years old).


And more dogs.

And Kate.

Don't forget: Saturday is Paws in the Park

Wanna see some synchronized kitties? Well, click here.

That's my offering to all you cat lovers, because tomorrow is going to be dog-centric.

The 14th annual Paws in the Park Petwalk will kick off at 11 a.m. in Bowdoin Park in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Directions to Bowdoin Park can be found here.

The benefit helps the Dutchess County SPCA.

For more information, check out this entry.

Here's a video from two years ago, filmed by my editor Maria Burnham and former reporter Kathianne Boniello, who is now at the New York Post.

Ready for adoption — it's back!

After a little hiatus, here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Maddie — Calico
"Don't let the scowl fool you, this cat is really just mad about you. Knowing that first impressions are lasting impressions, this hi-jinxing calico is willing to keep you guessing about her true feelings. Known as the class clowns of the cat world, this large calico female will provide endless entertainment for the cost of just a little bit of love. Good bargain, eh?"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

Greatest American Dog — episode 10, the finale

Well, the long national nightmare is over. At least for me.

SPOILER ALERT: If you don't want to know before you read the recap who won last night, skip down to the broken line now.




The winner of the "Greatest American Dog" reality series is Presley, an 18-month-old boxer whose owner is Travis, a 29-year-old bartender formerly from Perry, Okla., now living in LA. Where is he pursuing an acting career. Now we see why he was on the show.




– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

There was a lot of yacking on last night's show, the finale of the 10-week series.

JD and Laurie continued to butt heads about who is the best dog trainer and my methods works better than yours do, so there, nyah, nyah.

Just. Shut. Up.

The first challenge was one to eliminate the third wheel on the show.

It was to be an "intensive interview," so said the Weasel host.

Up first was Laurie & Andrew.

Judge Britty McBrit asked Laurie how she pushed Andrew during the competition. (I thought Britty was against anything deemed "aggressive" during training, so why did she use the word "pushed"?)

Laurie replied she didn't think a lot of the challenges were not geared toward smaller dogs, but she still had him do them.

Judge Clutchy McClutch (the poor dog she has a strangle hold on is ironically named Lucky) said that Andrew's world would fall apart if anything happened to Laurie.

"He'd be fine," Laurie said. She said she doesn't think there's anything wrong with raising Andrew to be so completely dependent on someone.

The scariest part of the interview was the "hands on" part with Clutchy, who amazingly gave poor Lucky over to Judge Old Guy.

Laurie has to go to the green room while Clutchy handles Andrew. She puts him down on the platform as Old Guy approaches with Lucky, who is even smaller than Andrew.

Andrew jumps off the platform and runs to the exit Laurie went through. Clutchy has to bring him back. Smooth move, Andrew. Sounds like you don't want Laurie to win $250,000.

After he is lugged back into the arena, Andrew runs around with Lucky, but then resumed his search for Laurie.

For JD's interview, Britty very sternly asked him what new thing Galaxy had learned during the competition.

He said that he (not Galaxy) had "opened his mind" to many different training techniques, but that he "didn't learn a ton."

Britty positively glowered as she asked him to describe his training technique. JD said his voice was stern and "I mean what I say and that's all I have to do."

JD: "So it's a real just mellow technique." Huh?

Clutchy examines Galaxy and asks how often she's bathed. JD grins and says only a couple times of year, but the rest of the time she's in the river, cleaning herself naturally.

Clutchy said a dog should be bathed once a month, and that "the Greatest American Dog should have a clean coat, and a beautiful smile with clean teeth."

When it was Travis & Presley's turn, Clutchy asked him what he's done right during the competition.

He said he was watching the other dogs to take what they do and try it with Presley. Old Guy wondered what surprised Travis most about Presley, and Travis said it was the way he feels affects his dog.

Travis said they "represent, like, a great dog and a great owner with a great relationship." Great.

Then Britty shows off her dog training skills — nonaggressively, of course — by teaching Presley to not take a treat until she says so.

While the judges deliberate, there's more yacking going on.

JD: "I would be just be so bummed to miss out on the biggest opportunity of my life to be eliminated. It would be a crusher, man." Words make sentence almost, dude.

Laurie: "I want to go to the end now, we are so close. It won't just be a loss for me, it will be a loss on positive dog friendly training as well." Don't worry, Laurie, we will survive.

Travis: "We are probably still the underdogs." Have no fear ... (Cue "Underdog" theme song)

The judges come back and Britty said that JD's relationship with Galaxy is based more on controlling domination than cooperation. Old Guy said Presley has potential, but "we are not sure that he has what it takes or you have what it takes." Clutchy said that Andrew is an adorable dog, but has separation anxiety.

JD & Galaxy are sent packing. Laurie says, "Oh my god."

Before his loser lap, JD said he is one of the most affectionate people you will ever see with animals. "It's too bad they didn't see that and the talent we have and the experience," he said. Britty purses her lips, obviously upset that JD hasn't seen the wisdom of her ways.

Everyone applauds.

Then bizarrely, and I had to replay it a couple of times to make myself believe what I saw, JD turned Galaxy upside down, her front paws on the floor and holding her back paws up in the air, touching them together.

JD: "And I hope America claps her hands, too. And I definitely wouldn't call it dominance training." OK. We get it. Now go away.

The second challenge was an agility run. First, the dog pushes a button then goes through a maze, then over teeter-totters, then across a narrow beam that sways from side to side, then jumping from platform to platform over spaces twice the dog's body length.

Then they brought back Susie the elephant to have the dogs fetch their favorite toy thrown underneath the beast, who has one leg held up (the better to crush you with, I guess).

They were judged on the owner's use of commands, owner's proximity to the dog, overall performance and overall progress.

Travis & Presley went first, going easily through the maze and over the other things. Travis squeaked Presley's toy repeatedly and tossed it under the elephant. The poor pooch hesitated to go under Susie, so eventually Travis went under the elephant himself. Presley finally took the toy.

Laurie & Andrew got through the maze, went very slowly on the teeter-totters, hesitantly on the beam, but flew over the platforms. Laurie tossed a toy under the elephant and there was no hesitation on Andrew's part to dash underneath and get it.

Back in the Best in Show arena, all the losers are there, with JD still looking mighty pissed.

Britty tells Travis that Presley showed tenacity, but he probably made it more difficult for the dog to go under Susie. "You had the squeaky toy and were squeaking all the time," Britty said. "It was making the elephant a little bit uncomfortable and then I think the elephant felt that stress and it went to Presley as well."

So tell me again how dominance training is bad but putting a manic dog under a nervous elephant is OK.

Clutchy told Laurie she thought she was mothering Andrew and was way too close to him during the agility part. "Then with the elephant it was incredible," Clutchy said.

Then there was MORE yacking during the final interview.

Just. Shut. Up.

Laurie said Andrew isn't really a clingy dog, blah, blah, blah. Travis said the competition was an amazing experience, blah, blah, blah, and will probably look real good on his resume.

He didn't really say that, but come on. He must have been thinking it, being an actor/bartender or bartender/actor.

The judges deliberate. Britty: "I have to say this is difficult."

Just make up your mind.

How many hours has this episode been on? Three? Four?

Anyway, finally, the Weasel announces the winner: Presley.

Presley: "Bark."

Travis: "Presley is the man." No, he's a dog. "He is amazing, and I love him."

Laurie said she is leaving with her head held "super high. We are going to continue with our great relationship."

Travis said, "I came here as a guy with a dog and 10 weeks later I'm leaving with the Greatest American Dog."

So it's over. I have to say that was the longest hour I've ever sat through.

I have two questions: How many of you sat there thinking "My dog's the greatest American dog, not any of those"?

Come on. (My hand's raised.)

And, do you think this show should come back next year?

(My hand's not raised.)

Paws in the Park coming up

Kate is resting up for Paws in the Park this Saturday.

The 14th annual Petwalk, sponsored by the Dutchess County SPCA, will be at Bowdoin Park in the Town of Poughkeepsie from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be food, music and games, all benefiting the DCSPCA.

In addition to paw readings, Kanine Karaoke, police K9 demonstrations, doggie IQ tests, doggie limbo and the ever-popular poop raffle, there will be a new game: Puppies of the Caribbean, where you search for buried treasure as you walk the plank.

The Paws in the Park Web site will give you all the information you need about the walk, including how to register and start raising funds.

Kate and I will see you there.

New meaning of the term 'obstruction'

This strange tale comes from Scotland via South Africa.

The Daily Dispatch in East London, South Africa, reports that a black Labrador retriever who had been "rattling" had actually eaten 13 golf balls.

Read the story here.

I don't know about the dog, but the owner's handicap is vet's bill.

Saturday at Clermont — canceled

The Clermont State Historic Site was going to host its first Three Dog Nights Saturday afternoon, but Hanna seems to have put a crimp in their plans.

The fund raiser for Greyhounds Friends West was going to feature pooch portrait taking, dog biscuit tasting, hors d'oeuvres for humans, a book give-away and a lecture by a charity organization.

Organizer Kjirsten Gustavson said they are working to reschedule the event later this month. She said she will let me know as soon as that happens.

Clermont is located at the intersection of NY Route 9G and Columbia County Route 6.

For more info, go to the Clermont's Web site by clicking here.

Greatest American Dog — episode 9

Don't worry, Galaxy is OK. And also don't worry, because there's only one more episode after this one.

Galaxy's injury was ... psychosomatic, or something.

JD (of & Galaxy) said, "Galaxy is my best bud and the love of my life and even if it was 10 million bucks and my dog was injured I would never ever push her."

JD believes in run-on sentences, but does he believe that pushing a dog for $250,000 is OK?

Seriously, Galaxy showed up in the last show with a limp. You remember the last episode? The one with elephants and flying dogs?

JD took Galaxy to the vet but the limp was gone by then.

That was easy.

The theme this week was loyalty, shown by the dog's ability to focus and its desire to please its owner, so said the Weasel host.

For the Golden Bone Challenge (I keep telling myself that after next week if there is a God I'll never have to type Golden Bone Challenge again), the dogs will face their humans while both are standing on tree stumps 15 feet away from each other. The dog has to stay in a sit or a stand and cannot lie down.

The winning team will be the one to stay on their stump the longest.

Laurie (of & Andrew) said her training method is, of course, superior to all the others who will constantly and repeatedly tell the dog to stay, stay, stay, while pointing their fingers at them.

Laurie's method, so she says, is to tell the dog once and stand there with arms folded.

They are the first to be eliminated, naturally. (If I could type this with my arms folded, I would.)

Galaxy folded (Ha) next, leaving Travis & Presley and Teresa & Leroy on the stumps. Travis is getting freaked about how Presley is acting, not wanting to make him more uncomfortable as the seconds tick by.

Travis tries to make a deal with Teresa to both end it and share the luxury suite and the advantage. She will have none of it, so Travis buckles. Really both man and dog seemed relieved to have it over with.

Teresa: "He's (Leroy) here to win ... and that was a sign of loyalty." Yeah, right, it was Leroy's idea to do this show.
Travis: "My only regret was I didn't call it off sooner."

For the elimination challenge, the humans would be training each other's dogs. But they weren't given any more information than that. Only Teresa, because she won the first challenge, would find out early, as her "leg up."

Laurie, naturally, doesn't want anyone messing with Andrew. "I don't give my dog over to other people," she said. "I would never want anyone to do something to undermine what he feels about me."

In the confines of the luxury suite, Teresa reads a note that outlines the elimination challenge. "You and your dog will be stationed in the middle of a semicircle. Each one of the others will try and lure your dog out of the semicircle. It will be a test of your dog's loyalty whether to stay with you or be tempted by distractions," the note read.

Each human had an hour to bond with each of the others' dogs. Teresa used her time to undermine the other dogs' loyalty, so she thinks.

Of all the dogs, Andrew didn't want to have anything with anyone else. During his hours with Travis and JD, he kept trying to get away. Andrew left the house and went back to Laurie, while JD was trying to find him. He even asked Laurie if she'd seen a little white dog around, and she said no, even though Andrew was right there.

In the Best in Show arena, the three humans who didn't already know what was going to happen were told. The challenge was called "Me or Them."

They would be judged on three criteria: the owner's use of commands, the dog's focus and the dog's overall loyalty.

A dog is trained or not trained to maintain a sit, stand or whatever. Kate may be loyal to me, but if she breaks a sit, it's because I haven't trained her well enough.

Laurie & Andrew are up first. Not surprisingly, Andrew couldn't care less about any of the other humans. In fact, the pooch yawned during the antics of the other owners.

Remember when Laurie said her training method was to tell the dog once and then stand there? Well, she didn't follow her own advice. She kept saying to Andrew, "Ah, ah, ah, leave it."

Whatever she did worked. Though I think that Andrew's dependence on her is weird. This is coming from a dog owner whose pup will come upstairs at night, but then go back downstairs after a little while to sleep the rest of the night. Then when I come downstairs in the morning, Kate will go upstairs.

I don't take it personally.

Galaxy stayed, Leroy stayed and Presley didn't.

Leroy, when he was released from the command, went over to the Weasel. Teresa called to him, saying, "He's not your friend." She is strange.

Britty McBrit said everyone should take a leaf out of Laurie's book. "There wasn't anything threatening in her body at all. She was giving commands. Kudos to you."

People actually say "kudos to you"?

Clutchy McClutch said she thought Andrew was a little too attached, and Laurie said he was in no way nervous. "He just prefers me," she said. To which JD sarcastically said, "Yeah."

Old Guy said Leroy was frantic. "He was kind of jumping out of his skin," he said, adding that his barking was a sign of frustration.

Old Guy also said that Galaxy, though she performed for JD, was robotic. Britty added that she found JD extremely threatening toward his dog.

Then in one of the most annoying things on the program (and that's saying a lot), Britty said, "JD, look at me. Do not take your eyes away from me. Is that a threatening stance to you?"

JD: "No, ma'am." Did see really expect him to crater?

Clutchy said that Travis & Presley have the cutest relationship, but Presley is too young (read, untrained) to sit there and listen to Travis. Britty said that it was great that Presley came back to Travis even if he broke the command.

Then we got to see what the judges talk about when they deliberate. Still doesn't make me like any of them.

Clutchy wanted to ax Travis & Presley, Britty wanted to get rid of Teresa & Leroy and Old Guy repeated that his Galaxy-is-robotic comment. He needs new material.

Special recognition went to Laurie & Andrew.

Again, Old Guy said Galaxy was robotic. "She was executing commands, not displaying loyalty," he said. (See my comment above.)

Britty said Teresa forgot what the challenge was about: not obedience, but loyalty. (See my comment above.)

Clutchy said Presley didn't have any focus.

JD & Galaxy were chosen to remain.

Britty: "This is really a tough decision for all of us tonight. Do you expel a dog that stayed inside the circle, but did so out of fear or do you expel a dog that left the circle but came back to the owner out of love and respect?"

The loser? Teresa & Leroy.

She said they both grew so much in a just a few weeks. "I am going to be so thankful for eveything that he gives me," Teresa said.

Leroy barked. Natch.

Next week is the finally. Ur, the finale.

Looks like there will be more elephants. Sigh.

Doc on Vick's dogs

Whatever happened to the pit bulls taken from Michael Vick's illegal dog fighting ring?

The first episode of DogTown on the National Geographic Channel will fill you in when the series returns at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

Check out their Web site and see some pictures of the pooches and the people who have helped them.

The two-hour program focuses on four of the dogs and how far they've come since the horrific circumstances in which they were found.

Here are some entries I did on the Vick saga.

Talkin' 'bout pets

All day today on Martha Stewart's Sirius Radio Channel 112 will be the best of Martha's pet-related programs: Cat Chat, It's a Dog's Life, Ask the Petkeeper and Ask Martha's Vet.

You can get a free trial of Sirius Radio on your computer by going to the Web site here.